Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
DEFENDING champions Cuckoo picked up their third consecutive win in the YOU.C1000 Veteran Basketball Cup after defeating Linktech 76-68 on Wednesday.
The duo of Simon Chong and Yap Chun Ping led the way for Cuckoo with 16 points apiece.
Kevin Tay added 15 and Voon Yiew Ting notched 13 in the victory.
On the other hand, Loo Yau Wai topscored for Linktech with 16 points and Emmanuel Malaya was the other in double figures with 10 to a losing cause.
Cuckoo got off to a better start and soon built a double-digit lead at the BBA Court in Batu Bersurat.
A three-pointer by Chong late on saw them open up 23-12 advantage going into the second frame.
Linktech clawed their way back and got to within 25-22 with over three minutes elapsed leading to a Cuckoo timeout.
They regrouped and back-to-back threes to close out the half see them back up 40-27 at the interval.
Cuckoo led by as many as 17 points in the third period as they got it done from the outside.
But back-to-back baskets by Linktech including a steal and buzzer beater by Tjhi San Bun got them to within 61-48 heading into the decisive quarter.
Cuckoo got too comfortable and allowed Linktech back into the match.
A reverse layup by Erwin Malit got them to within a single figure deficit at 72-63 with 2:30 left on the clock.
Linktech closed to within six point after a trey by Richard Tan followed by a basket by Loo closed the gap to 74-68 with under a minute left.
However, a Voon basket at the other end was enough to put the match to bed.
Two more games will be contested on Friday.
CJMM will look to complete a sweep of the preliminary round when they take on GHK Motors at 7pm.
Kinderflair Basketball Team and Cuckoo will do battle in the second match at 8.45pm.
