MD 'A' keep 100pc record

A SHOW of good defence towards the end of the game kept Maktab Duli (MD) A's unbeaten run intact at the 2009 MD Cup scoring a 51-42 victory over Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College (SOASC) at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat yesterday.

SOASC started out hot on offence and led by seven points in the first half but MD 'A' were resilient and managed to cut the deficit to end the half down 20-22.

SOASC suddenly went cold at the end of the first half and had a scoring draught that lasted for seven minutes. They only got back to scoring ways after four minutes into the second half.

It was a see-saw battle between these two teams as neither side managed to gain control of the game.

SOASC again went ice cold late in the game and didn't have anything in them on offence as MD 'A' picked up their defence and saw SOASC score their last basket with about six minutes left in the game. MD 'A' then cruised to victory.

Head coach of MD 'A', Goh Kok An, said his team's experience landed them the victory.

"Our team played well today (Saturday). We felt more comfortable late in the game but what was most important was that we picked up our defence towards the end," said Goh.

MD 'A' had a balanced attack at the offensive end and were led by Joven Umali with 13 points and Nelson Chen You Kuan with 12 points.

Leong Ching Onn led SOASC with 20 points followed by Lee Kar Jun with 10 points.

Both MD 'A' and SOASC will now await their opponents as they advance into the second round of the tournament placing first and second in Group A respectively. The tournament of 12 teams which are separated into three groups will see the top two teams from each group advance into the next round.

In the first game of the day, Science College edged Chung Hwa Middle School Bandar 57-52. The second game saw St Andrew's School thrash Seri Mulia Sarjana School 44-19 while the last game saw Katok Sixth Form Centre outlast Meragang Sixth Form Centre 51-38. (YCL 04)The Brunei Times