Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
ESMOND TAN scored the game-winning freethrows to lift Hui Huang Enterprise to a 74-72 win over Beta Kitchen in Group B of the YOU.C1000 Fuzhou Cup last night.
The result means that Hui Huang finished top of their group entering the quarter-finals while Beta Kitchen settle for third just behind BruPay.
Beta Kitchen looked enroute to victory after a three-pointer by Koh Wee Chian to make it a two-possession game at 70-65 with just over a minute left at the Fuzhou Shiyyi Association building in Berakas.
Esmond then hit a pair of freethrows before Lim Aik Hock came up big with a steal for an easy layup to bring the game to 70-69.
Koh then hit a another jumper with 35 seconds left to bring the score to 72-69.
Hui Huang needed a three and got it through Benjamin Lim off the corner to tie the game with 19 seconds to go.
Cheah Yong Sin had an opportunity for a potential game-winner but his shot from under the basket with seven seconds left went in and out.
Esmond then got hold of the defensive rebound and was fouled by Andy Lim sending him to the line where he made both his charities.
Alvin Goh had a chance to win it for Beta Kitchen at the buzzer but his three-pointer fell short and hit the front iron.
"It was a tough win. The game could have gone either way but none of our teammates gave up easily until the final buzzer," said Esmond in an interview with BruSports News after the win.
"Great job to each and every one on the team that contributed on and off the bench. Crucial 3-pointer by Benjamin Lim to tie the game and brought us that win tonight to secure top spot," added Esmond, who topscored for Hui Huang with 23 points.
Benjamin added 15 points to his name and Francis Barcellano was the other in double figures with 11 in the triumph.
On the other hand, Alvin poured in a game-high of 31 points to pace Beta Kitchen while Ng Lit How chipped in 12 to a losing cause.
Beta Kitchen had the better start and found themselves up 27-19 at the end of the opening period.
Alvin was getting it done at the offensive end with 13 points in the first quarter.
They extended their advantage to as large as 34-21 with under seven minutes to the break.
Benjamin then hit a trey for Hui Huang to start an 8-0 run. The momentum shifted in their favour and Beta Kitchen were limited to only a single basket the rest of the period to see the game all-square at 36 apiece at halftime.
Hui Huang attacked on the break and were in front 54-49 entering the decisive period.
However, Hui Huang went without a basket for over four minutes to start the final period allowing Beta Kitchen to tie the game at 54-54 after Cheah converted from the charity stripe.
A see-saw battle ensued before the late drama to see Hui Huang snatch victory.
Walltique are the other team that advanced from Group B.
The teams in Group A have also been decided with the unbeaten Bandar Estates, TK Tea House, Systematic Living and ThEvent.Co all progressing into the last-eight - which begins on Sunday.
