Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
BRUNEI got their 20th Borneo City Cup campaign off on the right foot after an 83-60 win over Labuan last night.
In a game which the hosts led from start to finish, Brunei captain Choo Yung Jian (pic) produced a game-high of 17 points at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat.
Darren Yap had a good shooting night with 14 points while Shim Jan Ting added 13 to his name.
Onn Jen Hao was the other in double figures for Brunei with 10 points.
On the other hand, Tan Wu Chey paced Labuan with 14 points while Adrian Kong knocked down 12.
The duo of Kennedie and Wilkinson Teo chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively in a losing effort.
Soon Kian Leong goes for a shot against Labuan. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
The Sultanate got off to six straight points - all by Onn - and never looked back.
Labuan struggled to find the bottom of the net in the early going but came to within 13-11 midway through the stanza.
However, they failed to add to that tally the rest of the period allowing Brunei to open up a double digit lead.
Han Ming Kwong connected on a buzzer-beating trey to put Brunei in front 25-11 going into the second quarter.
Wilkinson ended Labuan’s drought with a quick layup to start the second frame but Brunei turned the tides and the lead ballooned to 34-13 two minutes later after a layup by Ben Sim.
Brunei kept up the defensive pressure and led by as many as 26 points.
However, a series of turnovers late resulted in Labuan putting up an 8-0 run.
Brunei weathered the storm after back-to-back three-pointers by Choo, including a halftime buzzer beater, to put them up 49-25 at the interval.
Tan Wu Chey (C) of Labuan goes for a shot against the Brunei defence. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Labuan came out the better team in the third quarter and were using the break to score.
Brunei looked tired and only managed to hit one field goal in the last five minutes for only eight points in the frame.
Labuan looked rejuvenated and clawed their way back to within 57-44 at the end of the third quarter following a layup by Timothy Tay.
The visitors got to as close as 11 points early in the decisive quarter but that was the closest they got.
Brunei pulled off a few stops and used a 10-0 run midway through to kill off the game for the victory.
Brunei can win the title for the second time should they overcome Miri on Sunday at 4pm.
