Linktech KO KOF

GOOD defence in the fourth quarter helped Linktech withhold a strong challenge by KOF for a 92-80 victory in the 2009 Brunei Pepsi Cup last night to remain unbeaten in Group A.

The victory recorded at the Brunei Basketball Association Court in Batu Bersurat also put Linktech in the quarter-finals.

Both teams were unbeaten in Group A going into the match with two wins a piece. But KOF would still have to face the national cagers, YTE, in their final group match next week.

Both Linktech and KOF started brightly shooting well from the field but KOF edged ahead to take a 26-25 lead into the second quarter.

Linktech didn't look the side that beat YTE in the opening game executing poorly on defence and missing some easy shots as well.

KOF, meanwhile, were superb offensively with Ong Su Joung leading the point and setting plays.

KOF held on to their lead with good rebounding and penetration inside the paint with the scores at 47-45 going into the interval.

It was KOF's good shooting from beyond the arc, with five of them in the second period, that helped them take the lead.

In the third quarter, Linktech started out with man-to-man defence that saw them grab the lead from a 7-0 run at 52-47.

However, Linktech did make a couple of turnovers as they tried long baseball passes that were easily intercepted by the KOF defence. Their strategy was to increase the pace of the game as they executed better on fastbreaks with better finish on layups compared to their rivals, who were better shooters.

Linktech managed to extend their lead to double digits with three minutes left in the period but KOF captain, Ong Su Lung, put up a shooting clinic with back-to-back three-pointers that kept them in the game down 71-66 going into the final quarter.

Linktech stepped up their defence that let them down in the first half but KOF stayed close as both teams couldn't take control of the game.

KOF remained resilient and managed to regain the lead halfway through the period at 76-75.

Linktech felt the urgency and stepped up their defence on Su Lung, who was outstanding last night shooting a staggering nine three-pointers in the game to finish with 31 points.

Geve Leones wrapped up the game for Linktech when he scored 10 points in the final period to finish with a game high 34 points to end up at the right side of the match.

"I thought we played quite badly tonight (Friday night) until the third quarter where we managed to execute good defence against their main scorer," said Rhoel Corpuz, assistant coach of Linktech.

Corpuz blamed bad defence and turnovers for their poor first half.

"I think that there was miscommunication among the players ... this gifted our opponents the lead at halftime," he added.

Corpuz pointed out that despite being unbeaten and having booked a place in the quarter-finals, they were not the favourites in the competition.

"There are still some very strong teams to beat in the tournament. We just need more practice and must tighten our defence in the upcoming games," said Corpuz.

The second game of the night saw three-time Sultan Cup champions, Chop Eng Seng Keo Pinoy Resources, notch up their third victory to top Group C after defeating Afima Express 87-72.

Tonight's games will see Ismakom take on Ranoadidas Rockettes at 7pm in the women's category followed by YTE, comprised of the national team players who hope to bounce back from their opening loss to Linktech, going up against Gadong Boy at 8.30pm.

The Brunei Times