Setback for Sukma basketball

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SHUT OUT: Sarawak’s Muhammad Afifi is blocked from shooting by Kuala Lumpur’s Lim Gian Yang (right), Keng Eng Heng (centre) and Kuan Ju Shuan (left) during the first match of the last six in men’s basketball competition at Maba Stadium yesterday. Kuala Lumpur won 62-46. — Photo by Lim Chee Sen

SARAWAK suffered a setback in the second round (last six) of the men’s basketball at Maba Stadium yesterday when they lost 46-62 to Kuala Lumpur.

They were only able to contain their opponents in the first and second quarters where they trailed 15-10 and 27-25.

Kuala Lumpur, powered by two national youth cagers Lee Kwang Fai and Keng Eng Heng, kept their defence tight and attacked swiftly at the slightest opportunity and they drew away 44-36 at end of third quarter. They later bowed out in the quarter losing to city boys by 16 points.

Lee scored 16 points while Keng 15 points and the other major points contributors were Kuan Ju Shuan (13 points) and Lim Gian Yang (9 points).

As for Sarawak, only Voon Joan Lieu reached double digits with 10 points while Muhammad Afifi contributed nine points, Foo Soon Kiong and Liaw Chee Hui had eight points each and Kam Chung How scored six points.

Sarawak will next face Kedah in their Group Y match today.

Meanwhile the state women’s team crashed out of the Sukma XVI competition after they fell to their third successive defeat in their group competition and this time it was a 93-34 mauling by Selangor.

In table tennis, there was mixed fortunes for the men’s and women’s teams.

The men’s team comprised Chai Kiang Ann, Jason Siaw, Alex Lo, Rayford Kho and Clement Sim registered 3-0 wins over Sabah and Kelantan but lost 1-3 to Selangor in Group B of the team event.

They needed to beat Perak in today’s match in order to advance to the last eight. The state women paddlers who lost their opening match 1-3 to Kuala Lumpur restored their pride by beating Pahang 3-0.

But their other opponent, Selangor had proven to be too hot to handle for Sarawak who were represented by Wendy Lau, Tang Wen Jiun, Ting Ying Hii, Sia Hsiao Hung and Foo Wui Jia. They lost 0-3 in the match against Selangor.

Their final Group X match is against Sabah today and even a win against their neighbour is already academic as they are out of contention for a medal.