Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
YTE moved into the final of the YOU.C1000 Cup after dispatching Easyway 85-70 last night.
American import Udun Osakue finished with a game-high of 25 points to pace YTE while his compatriot Terrell Carter II contributed 22 in the victory at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat.
Elvin Requintin was the other in double figures for YTE with 15 first half points.
On the other side, Lyndon Gudez topscored for Easyway with 21 points. Marcus Quirk added 18 points while the duo of Md Zainul Ashyraf Hj Hussin and Ben Sim chipped in 13 and 10 respectively in the defeat.
Lyndon Gudez (R) topsored for Easyway with 21 points but only three points came in the second half. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Easyway were always going to have a tough time for the encounter with two-time ABL (ASEAN Basketball League) World Import MVP Chris Charles out due to injury.
The biggest question at tip off was on who would be able to handle YTE’s big man Carter, who is listed at 6’10 and 290 pounds.
Easyway had it rough in the early going as Francis Barcellano, who started in centre, was whistled for his third foul less than two minutes into the game.
Kel Hung soon joined him in foul trouble after picking up his third midway through the period.
Francis Barcellano (R) was scoreless in the game after getting into foul trouble early in the game. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Carter had his way inside the paint but it was the hot shooting of Requintin, who managed 10 points in the opening period, who fired YTE to a 31-21 lead going into the second quarter.
Easyway got the ball into the hands of Gudez and he helped his side back into the game with some good shooting.
The game was down to a single possession after a trey by Quirk to make it 40-37 with just over three minutes left in the frame.
It remained close but YTE stayed in front 47-42 at halftime.
Udun Osakue (R) scored a game-high of 25 points to lead YTE. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Osakue was up to the task to defend Gudez after the interval and it worked as he limited the Filipino to just two points.
The reigning MVP also carried his side at the offensive end with 12 points in the frame to extend their advantage to 67-54 going into the final quarter.
Easyway looked out of steam as they struggled to get anything to fall to start the decisive period.
It took them over two minutes to get on the scoreboard after a goaltend by Carter to make it 74-58.
With the game still within reach with YTE leading 76-63 midway through the quarter, Easyway went without a field goal for four minutes to see them lose their second match in the competition.
YTE will face either Fuzhou Shiyyi Association or Teo & Sons in the final on Sunday.
