Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
EASYWAY are cautious of the threat posed by HL Jaya when the two sides meet in the quarter-finals of the YOU.C1000 Cup on Monday.
"It will be a good game for both sides and a good challenge for us," said Easyway coach Hj Aeide Sowerdey Hj Abu Hassan in an interview with BruSports News.
"We are up against some of our former senior players.
"Our youngsters will get a chance to show their knowledge in terms of game IQ, fitness and abilities against players who are more experienced," he added.
Easyway are coming off a high as they marginally qualified as Group A runners-up after defeating holders Fuzhou Shiyyi Association 80-70 on July 1st.
When asked on what needs improving, Hj Aeide replied: "There are still lots of things that need to be worked on, especially the execution of set plays and understanding the 'read and react' of each player.
"It's a learning curve for everyone on the team but we will get through it," he added.
On the other hand, HL Jaya captain Yap Chun Ping knows they are the underdogs entering the matchup.
HL Jaya are unbeaten after sweeping Group D with four straight wins.
"They are definitely the favourites to progress," said Yap.
"They have speed in transition and we will need to try to stop that.
"We will also need ro prevent them from getting their threes going," he added.
"For our case, we will try our best to play better defence and let the offence come by itself," concluded Yap.
Jake Chong currently leads Easyway with 26 points per game.
HL Jaya will see Barry Kong, who laced up for Pegasus in the Malaysia D-League last year, make his first appearance.
The game is scheduled for 8.30pm at the BBA Court in Batu Bersurat.
