Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
THE real competition in the YOU.C1000 Cup begins tomorrow with the first semi-final between Easyway and YTE.
The second last-four match between Fuzhou Shiyyi Association and Teo & Sons will be held on Saturday.
The final will be held on Sunday and is scheduled for 8.45pm.
Tickets for the semi-finals and final are priced at $5 and $8 respectively.
YTE vs Easyway, 3/8/2018, 8pm
Easyway (WLWW)
Roster: Ben Sim, Md Zainul Ashyraf Hj Hussin, Ahmad Termizi Noordeen, Choo Yung Jian, Soon Kian Leong, Francis Barcellano, Marcus Quirk (featured pic) , Kel Hung, Alvin Goh, Jeremy Chu, Lyndon Gudez and Chris Charles
YTE (WWWWW)
Roster: Samuel Jong, Matthew Jerickson, Loo Zhi Onn, Xavier Legaspi, Shim Jan Ting, Tung Yee Keong, Lim Aik Hock, Tony Bong, Eric Navarro, Elvin Requintin, Udun Osakue and Terrell Carter II
Preview Analysis: It is the battle of the last two MVPs of the annual tournament - reigning MVP Udun Osakue and his predecessor Lyndon Gudez.
It is hard to recall when was the last time Easyway actually lost a group stage game.
It was a tough one considering their import Chris Charles picked up an injury in the loss to Fuzhou on Saturday.
The American eventually missed out on the all star game as well as their comfortable quarter-final victory over Tutong Basketball on Wednesday.
Easyway still have the height - with four players at least 6’5 - to handle Terrell Carter II should the two-time ABL (ASEAN Basketball League) World Import MVP not be able to lace up for the encounter.
Easyway, who are in search of their fifth championship in eight years, also have the bench advantage with their players all having played semi-professional basketball for the Beruang Blazers.
Fuzhou Shiyyi Association vs Teo & Sons, 4/8/2018, 8pm
Teo & Sons (WWWWL)
Roster: Simon Chong, Cheah Yong Sin, Gideon Fong, Darren Chai, Daniko Hidalgo, Derosa, Ricardo Eliseo, Joey Dela Pena, Jeff Paraiso, Roldan Binas, Rashad Ali and Freddie Goldstein
Fuzhou Shiyyi Association (WWWW)
Roster: Kevin Tay, Kenny Lim, Po Yung Hui, Wong Kim Guan, Ting Heng Lee, Lim Liang Wei, Darrel Dela Cruz, Don Mordeno, RJ Lucida, Apollo Bibat, Josh White and Mike Fey
Preview Analysis: Fuzhou are looking strong favourites to win the competition this year after their triumph over Easyway.
Josh White has been a leader on the floor to guide his teammates and is also getting things done at both ends of the floor.
They have got good depth and can spread the floor with some sharp shooters.
On the other side, Freddie Goldstein has been a joy to watch with his fancy dribbling to cut to the hoop and quick firing from beyond the arc - including a 64-point outing against Menglait Basketball Club with 20 treys.
However, Teo & Sons will require more from the rest of the supporting cast to get on the winning side against Fuzhou.
