QQeStore book 2nd round berth

QQeSTORE secured a slot in the next round of the Basketball Youth Cup after defeating Phil's Trading 90-71 in Group C of the Under-18 category at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat last night.

Nicholas Ho had a game-high 40 points to lead QQeStore and Lim Yee Chen scored 17 points.

On the other hand, Leong Ming Seng topscored for Phil's Trading with 17 points while Billy Shim and Wee Chyuan Seng chipped in 13 points each in a losing effort.

Both teams got off to a flying start playing with high intensity knowing the importance of the match.

QQeStore were getting their points through fastbreaks and were doing a good job on the boards allowing them to open a 23-14 lead heading into the second quarter.

Phil's Trading were relying on their outside shooting and couldn't contain Ho in the paint allowing him to score at will to extend QQeStore's lead to double digits midway through the period, at 34-23.

QQeStore were also doing a good job slashing to the rim as they held on to a 42-26 advantage at halftime.

Phil's Trading were pushing the ball up the court quickly after the break but resulted in turnovers which their opponents gladly exploited for fastbreaks at the other end to further extend their lead. QQeStore were in cruise control with a 64-49 lead going into the final stanza.

Leong tried to keep Phil's Trading close in the match with his offence but QQeStore continued to dominate the final quarter as they clinched the decisive game with relative ease.

"Everyone did their job tonight (Sunday) as we were missing some key players. It was good overall as we needed the win to advance and we got it," said Joshua Thien, the captain of QQeStore.

In the day's early match, HHY swept Group C in the Under-18 category with a 116-42 demolition of Rangers.

Loo Zhi Hung had a good performance with 31 points for HHY while Darren Wong contributed 26 points. On the other hand, Si Kae Sen was the only player with double figure for Rangers with 14 points to a losing cause.

In the late game, tournament favourites, White Haven, defeated SKK 114-94 to sweep Group A of the Under-23 category.The Brunei Times