Bukit Ladang outlast Aziz Latif & Company

IT WAS so close yet so far for Aziz Latif & Company who suffered a heart-breaking 90-77 loss to Bukit Ladang in their second round match of the Aewon Cup 2011 Basketball Championship Tournament.

The atmosphere at the Brunei Basketball Association Court at Batu Bersurat was terrific with the supporters getting their money's worth, being treated to a neck to neck match-up for a majority of the game.

Five players scored into double figures for Bukit Ladang Lim Liang Wei causing most of the damage by scoring a team high of 25 points, Daniel Chong added another 16 points.

Ho Hee Lee scored 15 points, with Jong Guo Zhang and team captain Xavier Fong scoring 11 and 10 points respectively.

Eric Eranes, meanwhile scored a game-high of 28 points for ALC.

Both A Garingal and M Ong scored 11 points while G Romero and Ronnel Sugnan added 10 points each to the losing cause.

Both teams were evenly matched from the get-go, with just a point's difference at times in the game.

As usual, Bukit Ladang started the game with good set plays, focusing on pin-point passes instead of forcing shots.

The contrasting styles of play were obvious with ALC relying on their flamboyant offence to rack up the points.

This led to quick fouls on Bukit Ladang, gifting free throws to their opponents.

The scores showed 13-17 in ALC's favour at the end of the first quarter.

Bukit Ladang would respond by unleashing a barrage of threes, initiated by Jong's shot right off the start in the second quarter.

Chong would pick up where Jong had left off by hitting his own three-pointer to slice into their ALC's lead.

ALC had the upper hand on the boards, grabbing and scoring on multiple second chance opportunities.

Bukit Ladang would counter by using their pace and power to their advantage to make it just a two-point game (35-37) at the end of the second quarter.

Coach Tony Tan implemented a full court press at the start of the third quarter, in an attempt to suffocate ALC's offence.

Lim's energy gave plenty of trouble for ALC, drawing fouls as he attacked the basket without fear.

The spectators were now sitting on the edge of their seats with Bukit Ladang grabbing a one-point lead over ALC.

They would continue to build on their lead spearheaded by their potent offense and anchored by solid defence.

ALC would however fight back to come from seven points down to get back to 55-53, but Chong would step up to the plate once more by sinking another three pointer, making sure they go into the final stanza with a two-point 58-56 lead.

ALC would fall apart in the fourth quarter. The officials would add to their demise, calling a pushing foul which made them not only lose their temper but probably also the game.

Despite this, ALC still put on a commendable effort, fighting all the way but the game was clearly now in the hands of Bukit Ladang who walked away with the victory.In the earlier match, Easyway/CK Tang bounced back from their loss to D'Babes/Sharks yesterday to record a 79-68 win over Jedstar.The Brunei Times