WORTHY WINNERS: Sentosa Basketball Association players and team officials receive the challenge trophy from Yong while (from fourth left) Thian, Chai and others look on during the prize presentation.
KUCHING: Sentosa Basketball Association succeeded in their second attempt to capture the Datuk Yong Khoon Seng Cup Invitational Basketball tournament when they beat Sungai Apong Basketball Association 60-48 in a one-sided final at Kota Sentosa Association Basketball Stadium Friday night.
Last year’s runners-up Sentosa, spearheaded by national cager and also Malaysian Basketball League player Chai Tze Hian and a 90 per cent line-up of state players, were simply in their element as they took a 13-9 lead in the first quarter.
By the half-time whistle, the team from Mile 7 was already 13 points ahead with a 34-21 score.
They stretched their lead to 50-34 at end of fourth quarter and wrapped up with an empathic 60-48 win to clinch their first title in the Men’s Division I.
Three players Tze Hian, Lee Hon How and Liew Tze Fong scored identical 18 points for Sentosa while Bong Yit Chai and Lai Tze Wei top-scored for Sungai Apong with 12 points and 11 points respectively.
The third and fourth placing went to Sin Lian Yew and Chen Chang respectively.
“It was a good game and I am happy that we finally won the title after finishing second in the competition last year,” said Sentosa coach Chan Shun Gak.
He said knowing the opponent’s weakness was key to the team’s victory and his team basically shut out their adversaries who were forced to try scoring from the outer circle.
“We (the players) have played together and we know their style of play.
“So we use pattern play to contain their attacks and kept our defence tight,” added Chan.
Overall, Chan said his team displayed great teamwork and cooperation to achieve their mission.
Earlier, Kopi Kaya staved off a late comeback by Samarahan Youth to win 73-76 and lift the Men’s Division II title.
Third and fourth were Batu 4 1/2 Basketball Association and B.T. Mile 7.
In the Men’s Veteran (40 years old and above) contest, Matahari emerged the champions, Sin Lian Yew the runners-up while Samtlan and Hua Ping finished third and fourth respectively.
The Women’s Open crown was captured by Sparks and coming in second were Highians while D & C (SM Sains) and Matahari came in third and fourth respectively.
This 4th edition of the tournament was closed by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng who also gave away the prizes.
Also present were Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang and Sentosa Basketball Association president Kapitan Thian Teck Hin and chairman Chai Shoon Sen.