Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
YUNI-KU survived a second half comeback by Amaron and hung on for a 75-67 win on Friday to move into the final of the YOU.C1000 Cup.
They will face Wan Sing in the title decider on Saturday at 8.30pm.
Kon Yee Hung finished with a game-high of 18 points for Yuni-ku.
Asi Medina added 15 and Kenny Lim contributed 11.
On the other hand, Kevin Tay topscored for Amaron with 12 points.
The duo of Soon Kian Leong and Darren Yap notched 11 points each.
Amaron looked down and out by halftime after they were outscored 24-8 in the second period at the BBA Court in Batu Bersurat.
The more youthful and energetic Yuni-ku carried out their press at a steong level and opened up a 42-24 advantage at the interval.
The momentum shifted in favour of Amaron in the third quarter as Yuni-ku played to their slower pace.
Kevin Tay, who had the hot hands for 10 points in the frame, cut the deficit to a single digit after a basket to make it 50-41 with over three minutes left.
Medina was forced to sit out after picking up his fourth foul just before the end of the third quarter.
Yap hit both from the charity stripe to get Amaron within 57-51 heading into the decisive period.
Yuni-ku got their lead back up to as many 10 points.
Amaron stayed within reach and a three-pointer courtesy of Mak Chia Wee saw the scoreboard read 68-64 with 2:43 to play.
Yuni-ku called a timeout and Medina, who just returned to the floor, executed and finished off a reverse layup.
Amaron turned the ball over the next possession leading to an easy two in transition.
They failed to get on the scoreboard the next two trips down allowing Yuni-ku back up by nine points.
Yap then gave Amaron a lifeline with a trey with 43.2s left to make it 73-67.
Yuni-ku ensured there will be no comeback as they controlled the ball and ran the clock.
Jayden Chen missed a three-pointer late on to see Yuni-ku take the victory.
