Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
IT wasn't pretty but Amaron got it done.
They defeated Nuctech 63-36 in their Group D opener of the YOU.C1000 Cup on Tuesday.
Esmond Tan led the way with a game-high of 13 points for Amaron.
Kevin Tay added 11 while Darren Yap notched 10 in the win at the BBA Court in Batu Bersurat.
On the other hand, Han Yei Siew was the only player in double figures for Nuctech with 11 points.
It was a slugfest from the opening minutes as Nuctech jumped out to a 9-2 lead.
Amaron were not helped by their poor shooting as Nuctech stayed in front 12-8 going into the second frame.
The former adjusted at the defensive end with a half court trap and it worked.
Back-to-back three-pointers by Yap gave them their first lead at 16-14 with 6:35 left in the second frame.
The run extended to 16 unanswered points before a trey by Han stopped the drought.
Amaron stayed ahead 28-17 at halftime.
They couldn't put the ball through the hoop for a span of five minutes before Tan converted a reverse layup.
Amaron turned defence into points and extended their cushion to 40-27 heading into the fourth quarter.
Nuctech simply had no answer and a three-pointer by Tan made it 50-30 with over five minutes left enroute to victory.
