BLOCKED: Starry Sports’ Raymond Hui (right) makes a successful block on Efos Kimbay’s Bryan Sim during the men’s Group B match of the 1st Imperial Challenge Trophy Sarawak Basketball (Preliminary Stage Kuching Zone) at MBKS Indoor Stadium on Monday. Starry Sports won 75-57.
KUCHING: Efos Kimbay’s winning streak in the 1st Imperial Challenge Trophy Sarawak Basketball (Preliminary Stage Kuching Zone) came to an abrupt end on Monday night when they crashed 75-57 to Starry Sports in a Men’s Group B match at MBKS Indoor Stadium in Pending.
Starry Sports were boosted with the return of Raymond Hui who received a roar of applause in the first quarter when he beautifully blocked a shot from Efos Kimbay’s Bryan Sim.
It was Efos Kimbay who led 10-5 from the start but a fiery onslaught by Starry Sports put them 18-15 in charge.
The second quarter was delayed by a blackout for about 10 minutes but the on-fire Starry Sports stretched their lead to 53-41 at end of third quarter.
In the final quarter, Starry Sports’ Uyod Michael was in great form to sink 10 vital points including three-pointers for his team.
Injuries to two key players Benjamin Sim and Bryan Sim added to Efos Kimbay’s woes. Although Starry Sports also lost their key player Tsok Kian Hong to injury, they went on to win the match with a 18-point margin.
Kian Hong was the top scorer with 26 points and six rebounds while teammates Uyod had 18 points and seven rebounds and Mohd Hafifi had 14 points and six rebounds.
For Efos Kimbay, Liew Yik Lung top scored with 25 points and nine rebounds while the Sim brothers combined for a total score of 19 points.
After the match, the table standings showed Starry Sports, Sentosa and Efos Kimbay in the top three spots with all teams having won twice and lost once.
However, on the points difference count under FIBA rules and regulations, Starry Sports topped the Men’s Group B, followed by Sentosa and Efos Kimbay.
In Friday’s semi-final matches, Men’s Group A leaders Lord Tiger will take on Sentosa while Starry Sports will face Sungai Apong Basketball Association.
Earlier, PEST notched their second consecutive win by thrashing Ta Fatt 66-47 to clinch second spot in the women’s standings.
Chong Chon Fei was the top scorer for PEST with 18 points, Joyce Chong contributed 12 points and Annabelle Tay and Sia Kai Sing had 10 points each.
Top scorer for Ta Fatt was Erine Lau who had 14 points while Chong Mui Khiun contributed 10 points.