White Heaven prevail

WHITE HEAVEN stamped their class over De'Lightz Coffee Shop 73-59 last night in the 2009 Brunei Pepsi Cup at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) court in Batu Bersurat.

White Heaven raced to a 19-7 lead in the first quarter and was ahead 27-13 halfway through the second period with Vincent Superio scoring back-to-back baskets.

As the game looked like it was going to be one sided, 2008 national cager, Liew Kok Fui of De'Lightz Coffee Shop stepped up to help his team keep in contact with their opponents as they were only down 35-25 at halftime.

Mike Nuguid turned it up for White Heaven in the third quarter as he was doing almost everything for the team, from assisting his team mates and scoring on layups.

White Heaven built on their lead and ended the third period up 55-40.

De'Lightz Coffee Shop were trying to mount a comeback and went on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to 10 points at the start of the final period.

Each time De'Lightz Coffee Shop got close, White Heaven would answer and hang on their lead.

With two minutes left in the game, De'Lightz Coffee Shop put on a full court pressure defence to try and close the gap but it was to no avail as White Heaven easily broke the defence to win the game.

Erwin Velez, White Heaven coach cum player, said, "Actually we haven't practised much for the tournament. But it was a good start as the players have been following instructions.

"The tournament is still long with many games to come so we should be able to improve game by game.

"It can be seen that the team aren't in good shape yet. We need to practise more as I'm trying to get more players involved so that in crucial games, we can have any player come out and play."

Velez, who was a star player for Malar Setia few years back in the Sultan Cup, had been nursing an injury when he broke his foot in the opening game of the Aewon's Sultan Cup last July.

"It's been more than a year since I last played so I myself am going through rehab to get ready to play," said Velez.

Superio topscored for White Heaven with a game high 17 points while Nuguid also finished in double figures with 14 points.

On the other hand, De'Lightz Coffee Shop was led by Ang Chee Yong with 14 points.

In the other men's game, Bukit Ladang defeated Urban Chic 78-57.

In the women's division, Ismakom demolished Sally Beauty Saloon 91-12 and Muara Gas clobbered Ranoadidas Rockettes 77-41.

Tonight's matches will see Gadong Boy take on KOF at 7pm while Kitchen of Jasmine go up against Team Wayne A at 8.30pm.

The Brunei Times