Patrik Chia of Labuan Wasps attempting a shot as KK Eagles’ Alvin Ang defends during their second match of the Kuching Circuit of the inaugural Yuwang EBL Basketball League at MBKS Indoor Stadium in Pending on Saturday night. The Wasps won 77-73.
KUCHING: Miri Firehorse staged a strong comeback to secure a narrow 72-70 victory over home team Lord Tiger in their second match of the Kuching Circuit of the inaugural Yuwang EBL Basketball League at MBKS Indoor Stadium in Pending on Saturday night.
After leading 21-17 in the first quarter, Firehorse were tied 37-37 only to surrender the lead 47-53 in the third quarter.
The final quarter saw both teams engaged in a ding-dong battle for points until the final minute when the Tigers clinged on to a 70-68 lead.
In the final eight seconds Tiger’s Rolando Lim had his long range pass intercepted for Firehorse’s Filipino import Narciso Junior Gallardo Llagas to turn hero. He scored four consecutive points with only four seconds left to hand the Miri team a two-point victory.
Narciso was also the team’s top scorer with 27 points and 14 rebounds while compatriots Lord Howler Malahito Casajeros contributed 12 and Nicholas Yii had 10.
As for Lord Tiger, import player Ramsey Lewis Williams continued to shine with 22 points and 9 rebounds while John Julien Matsusalem Foronda and Chai Chze Hian scored 14 points each. The other player who surpassed double digits was Benjamin Sim with 11 points.
In the other match on Saturday night, KK Eagles were stung by Labuan Wasps 77-73.
Filipino import Chester Yves Solis Tolomia was the top scorer for the Eagles with 24 points and 9 rebounds while his compatriots Nicol Balasbas Bolos and Al Santillan Vergara each scored 10 points.
On the other hand, import Angelus Santos Roymundo top scored for Wasps with 19 points and 23 rebounds while Ng Sing Tee had 16, Paul Christian Crisostomo Zamar (15) and Brian Torrala Ilad (10).
Following the above results, the title race was thrown wide open as all four teams Miri Firehorse, Kuching Lord Tiger, KK Eagles and Labuan Wasps had registered one win and one defeat each after two days of competition.
The title will be decided later yesterday when Miri Firehorse take on Labuan Wasps and Lord Tiger engage KK Eagles in the other match.