FZ-Juramas beat YTE to top Group A

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

FZ-JURAMAS claimed top spot in Group A of the YOU.C1000 Cup after dispatching defending champions YTE 93-74 last night at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat.

The victory means that they will face TK Tea House, who defeated Bengkurong Brotherhood 125-99 in an earlier Group B game, in the semi-finals at 7.15pm on Monday.

Meanwhile, YTE will meet Group B winners Easyway in the other last-four matchup scheduled to tip off at 9pm the same night.

Wu Chun hit double figures with 11 points. Picture: Yee Chun Leong

Alvin Goh (pic) produced a game-high of 22 points to pace FZ-Juramas including going 8 for 8 from the freethrow line.

Francis Barcellano added 20 points while the pair of Wu Chun and Esmond Tan contributed 11 points each in the triumph.

On the other hand, YTE had most of their contributions from their quartet of Filipino players.

Don Mordeno led the way with a team-high of 19 points while F R Macasero added 18.

Elvin Requintin notched 16 points while Eric Palanca chipped in 15 in the defeat.

Francis Barcellano (R) was a handful for the YTE defence. Picture: Yee Chun Leong

FZ-Juramas started the game knowing exactly what they needed to do - getting it down low to Barcellano.

YTE were undersized and couldn’t contain the 6’ 5 Filipino centre. They were also hurt by their turnovers allowing their opponents to capitalise at the end.

FZ- Juramas soon found themselves up by double figures after a layup by Alvin to make it 22-12 with just over a minute to play in the opening period.

Both sides missed some easy baskets and went without a field goal for two minutes to start the second period.

Mordeno then took charge at the offensive end and helped YTE cut the deficit to just a point at 36-35.

Don Mordeno (C) takes a floater against FZ-Juramas. Picture: Yee Chun Leong

However, FZ-Juramas regrouped to end the first half with an 8-0 run - six of them coming from Alvin from the charity stripe - to stay in front 44-35 at halftime.

FZ-Juramas continued to execute at both ends of the floor and built on their lead. YTE also looked out of sorts with calls not going their way.

FZ-Juramas got their largest lead midway through the period after a basket by Wu Chun to make it 65-44.

At that point, it was a mountain to climb for YTE and they simply had no answer to mount a comeback enroute to their first defeat in the competition.

Eric Palanca of YTE goes for a shot against Francis Barcellano. Picture: Yee Chun Leong

The tournament continues today with the final two games of the group stage.

Moldex Realty will take on Yuniku in Group A at 7.15pm followed by a meeting between Systematic Living and YTE Basketball in Group B at 9pm.

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