Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
ST Andrew's School (SAS) defied the odds for a 91-81 comeback win over Chung Hwa Middle School (CHMS) BSB in an intense semi-final clash in the Inter-School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.
The result sets up a final against favourites Jerudong International School (JIS) on Saturday at 8.30pm.
Phoan Chung Siang came up huge for SAS with a game-high of 37 points.
Marc Francis had 19 while Blair Kwan poured in 13.
Yong Jyh Xiang contributed 12 in the triumph at the BBA Court in Batu Bersurat.
On the other side, Terance Lee topscored for CHMS with 26 points - despite only checking in with under four minutes left in the opening period after not bringing the right uniform.
Denny Kuan added 14 while the duo of Adriel Ting and Chin Li Yuan notched 13 apiece.
Tong Yong Min was the other in double figures with 10 in a losing effort.
CHMS looked set to take the win with a 14-point lead but the turnaround came late in the third period.
With foul trouble brewing for the CHMS front court, they were forced to the bench leaving them with a smaller lineup.
SAS capitalised for a 10-0 run in the final three minutes to cut the deficit to 66-63 heading into the decisive frame.
They carried the momentum forward and went in front after a layup by Phoan with 7:45 left.
CHMS went cold from the field and they called a timeout with six minutes left in the game with the scoreboard reading 73-68 in favour of SAS after 10 unanswered points.
CHMS came out of the intermission with full court man-to-man defence.
A three-pointer by Ting followed by a Lee basket gave them a lifeline.
SAS didn't take any risks and used a timeout.
But CHMS made it a two-possession game - as close as five points at 86-81 with over a minute left.
Francis then split his freethrows but CHMS threw the ball away leading to him making amends for a fastbreak layup.
CHMS turned the ball over again the next possession and Phoan put the game to bed with a simple two.
