Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
ESMOND TAN was the hero as he knocked down a buzzer-beating shot to lift Amaron to an 83-81 victory over Wan Sing in Group D of the YOU.C1000 Cup on Saturday.
[Not the first time Esmond Tan hit the game-winner with a second left.]The result sees them top their group entering the quarter-finals.
Tan eventually finished with a team-high of 22 points.
Yeo Chun Kiat notched 17 while Kevin Tay, who was off injured early in the third quarter, contributed 16.
Jayden Chen was the other in double figures with 10 to his name in the triumph.
On the other hand, Joven Dungog had game-high of 25 points.
Eric Palanca provided 22 while Leonil Espina chipped in 14 to a losing cause.
Amaron led most of the game as they carried a 67-58 lead going into the final frame at the BBA Court in Batu Bersurat.
A flurry of turnovers allowed Wan Sing to close to within a point.
They took the lead after Dungog hit a jumper from the top of the key to make it 75-74 midway through.
It headed towards a thrilling end with both sides exchanging baskets.
With Amaron up by three, Gideon Fong was whistled for a technical foul with 2:37 left.
Dungog hit the ensuing freethrow and with ball possession, Hansel Enopia converted a runner to put them back in front.
Tan power through the paint for hoop and harm while Dungog suffered a cramp in the process at the other end.
He missed the foul shot but Yeo scored on a drive the next possession.
Wan Sing then turned the ball over without any pressure but Amaron failed to capitalise.
In turn, Allen Salvador was fouled and he split his charities with 44 seconds left to make it 81-78.
Tan lost the ball on a drive to the basket resulting in Palanca finishing in transition at the other end.
Wan Sing were forced to foul with nine seconds left to stop the clock, sending Lim Aik Hock to the line.
He missed them both and Palanca was fouled at the other end with four seconds left in regulation.
He missed the first but converted the second to tie the game and Amaron called a timeout to draw the last play.
It didn't materialise as the inbounds pass to Tan was stolen by Palanca.
He got the ball to Salvador, who heaved the ball from half court - only to go out of bounds after hitting the top of the board with a second left on the clock.
Lim then launched a pin point full court pass to Tan for the last second heroics.
