Friday May 2, 2008
www.thestar.com.myFilipinos outplay title-holders Malaysia in SEABA opener
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines sounded an early warning to their rivals when they outclassed defending champions Malaysia 98-67 in the SEABA boys’ junior basketball championship at the Maba Stadium here last night.
The Filipinos, who did not compete in the last meet in Segamat in 2006, trailed 43-47 in the first two quarters.
But the Philippines, who underwent a two-month training stint in the United States prior to the tournament, showed tremendous fighting spirit and maturity to hit back and take a comfortable 72-51 lead in the third quarter.
Cheered by the 100-odd crowd, the Philippines romped home in the fourth quarter for a 31-point win.
No way out: Ong Chun Khee (centre) trying to get past three Filipino players during the SEABA junior championship yesterday. The Philippines won 98-67. – By AZMAN GHANI/The Star Ong Chun Khee was the top scorer for Malaysia with 23 points while Gabriel Banal contributed 16 points for the Philippines.
Apart from the defeat, there was further bad news for Malaysia when Kuek Tian Yuan was carried out of the court with a hamstring injury midway through the third quarter.
National coach Tan Kok Heng blamed his boys’ lack of focus in the third quarter for the defeat.
“I don’t know why my boys lost focus in the third quarter ... it affected our game. They also looked exhausted. Two of my players also suffered muscle pulls during the match,” said Kok Heng.
Malaysia will face Singapore today.
In an earlier match at the same venue, Thailand hammered Indonesia 82-50.
Five teams, including Singapore, are competing in the tournament and the top two will qualify for the Asian qualifying tournament in Iran in September.
RESULTS
Thailand 82 Indonesia 50.
Malaysia 67 Philippines 98.
l TODAY’S FIXTURES
Philippines vs Thailand – 6.00pm.
Singapore vs Malaysia – 8.45pm.
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