Autoexperts triumph

AUTOEXPERTS.COM.BN opened their Chung Hwa Middle School (CHMS) Alumni Association 18th Anniversary Basketball campaign on the right note when they beat Aranta Sdn Bhd 52-36 in the Under-18 category last night.

Autoexperts never looked back after racing to an early lead at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat, though they did run out of steam during times at the second half.

"I am very happy with the win. The team played well in the beginning but weren't as good in the second half," said Autoexperts' manager Walter Liew.

Aranta had a slow start to the game and found themselves down 23-4 with five minutes left to go in the first half.

Their poor shooting and lack of a capable ballhandler hurt their scoring chances but they came back strong as the half ended.

Going on a 10-4 run, Ananta closed out the 20-minute half trailing 27-14.

But their poor shooting continued in the second half and on the other end of the floor, they were unable to cope with Autoexperts run-and-gun style of play.

Playing with better teamwork, Autoexperts were combining better and had the advantage when it came to shooting and rebounding.

They led 37-23 mid-way through the second half and soon opened up a 20-point lead with eight minutes left to go (44-23).

Jake Ten and Wilson Lau were dominant inside the paint for Autoexpress and helped shore up the team's defense.

Ananta went on a dry run towards the closing stages of the game, guaranteeing that they would be unable to mount a comeback.

Tonight's action pits SPE against SGS at 7pm while CHMS BSB and Haska do battle at 8pm. In the only Men's Open division match-up, Hankook Komala face off against TK Tea House at 9pm.

Kicking off last Saturday, there are 11 teams vying the trophy in the Men's Open and 14 teams in the Under-18.

The Brunei Times