Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
BRUNEI bagged the 20th Borneo City Basketball Invitational Tournament 2018 (Borneo Cup) title for the second time - with the only other coming in 2011 - after defeating Miri 80-64 yesterday.
After struggling offensively against Labuan on Friday, Ben Sim (pic) found his range and turned in a fantastic performance to finish with a game-high of 36 points, which included six triples.
Captain Choo Yung Jian was the other in double figures for the Sultanate with 13 to his name in the victory at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat.
On the other hand, Ma Chee Kheun topscored for Miri with 19 points while Lai Kong Lek added 14 to a losing cause.
Despite it being closely contested in the early going, Sim started out hot from the field to knock down 13 points in the opening 10 minutes to give Brunei a 22-16 lead going into the second period.
Choo Yung Jian was the other in double figures for Brunei. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Brunei picked up at the defensive end and soon opened up a double digit lead.
Sim knocked down a trey to put Brunei up 30-16 with just over six minutes left in the second period.
Miri couldn’t get anything going and soon find themselves in a 42-18 hole - the largest lead of the game - with two minutes before the interval.
The visitors then took a timeout and brought things into the paint to cut the deficit to 44-24 at halftime
Miri came out strongly after the break for a 7-0 run before Brunei responded with eight unanswered points the next minute.
It was a physical affair but the hosts remained in control at 60-42 going into the final quarter.
Shim Jan Ting (R) takes a jumpshot against Miri. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Miri brought on a smaller lineup and came out playing full court pressure defence in the decisive frame.
It worked to an extent as they trimmed the deficit to 60-47 just over a minute into the period.
With time on their side, Brunei were patient and utilised the clock on each possession.
Sim connected on another three-pointer midway through the stanza to put Brunei ahead 70-53.
Miri didn’t let up and continued with their pressure defence to stay within reach at 72-59 with two minutes left in regulation.
However, in the next possession Shim Jan Ting split his freethrows but Sim grabbed the offensive rebound only to knock down a dagger three enroute to victory.
Meanwhile, Miri claimed the veteran’s category while Kota Kinabalu won the women’s category.
