Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
TUTONG emerged champions of the inaugural National Basketball League after defeating Brunei-Muara A 80-75 in the title decider last night.
The reason for their victory came from an unlikely source - On Chee Khong - as the guard was the spark plug off the bench in the decisive quarter to score 16 points to propel his side to the crown.
Tutong coach Hj Aeide Sowerdey Hj Abu Hassan admitted that it was a risk but trusted his bench to deliver.
“It is a basketball game and there are times when players switch on or off,” said Aeide in an interview with BruSports News after the triumph.
“We took a huge risk but we trust our players. They know what they need to do and what they will face and that’s how they reacted,” he added.
Khoo Chin Kai led the way for Tutong with 20 points while Soon Kian Leong added 18.
Md Zainul Ashyraf Hj Hussin was the other in double figures with 15 to his name in the victory.
A regular contributor at the offensive end Onn Jen Hao was plagued by early foul trouble and finished the game without a point.
On the other hand, Ahmad Termizi Nordeen topscored for Brunei-Muara A with 20 points while Darren Yap contibuted 14 in the defeat.
It was a one possession right from tip off until midway through the second period whereby a series of turnovers by Brunei-Muara A allowed Tutong to create some breathing space.
They used an 8-0 to open up a nine-point lead and led by double figures for the first time after an error by Ching Wei Ming off the inbounds to gift Khoo a free basket with two seconds left to make it 38-28 at halftime.
Brunei-Muara A quickly cut the deficit to five points after the interval.
But Tutong were unfazed and got their biggest lead of the match at 48-37 midway through the third frame courtesy of a straight on trey by Khoo.
Mizi kept it close after he hit a jumpshot at the buzzer to make it 54-51 entering the decisive quarter.
Brunei-Muara A got to within one point but never went in front. Things were made difficult after their captain Mizi fouled out with over three minutes left to play with the scoreboard reading 68-66 in favour of Tutong.
On then knocked down a three-pointer to make it a two possession game.
He had a chance for a three-point play with 33 seconds to go after hitting a tough layup but missed his freethrow to see them up 77-72.
Brunei-Muara A failed to capitalise as they turned the ball over the next possession.
They were forced to foul Soon and he put the match to bed by making both freethrows to make it a three-possession game with 23 seconds to go.
Yap then hit a quick three-pointer off the glass at the other end but it was simply not enough for Brunei-Muara A.
Kuala Belait claimed the bronze after overcoming Brunei-Muara B 64-45 in the third-place playoff.
Over in the women’s category, Brunei-Muara claimed top honours after beating Tutong 51-42 in the final.
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