I-Cyber's Yong Chin (L) goes for a shot during their 73-68 win over Syarikat Bukit Ladang Sdn Bhd in their Brunei Basketball Association League clash last night. Picture: BT/ Syarif Rasani
I-CYBER edged Syarikat Bukit Ladang Sdn Bhd 73-68 to seal their second win over them in the 1st Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) League last night.
Their first clash saw them walk away with a 79-60 triumph during the opening day of the tournament on June 15. Yesterday's match saw a tight contest between the two teams for the first three quarters before I-Cyber stepped on the gas in the final period.
I-Cyber captain Lim How told The Brunei Times that it was their strategy to play at the same pace as Syarikat Bukit Ladang in the first two quarters, before picking it up in the third by playing man to man defence.
The strategy, unfortunately, did not go as planned as his players unexpectedly gassed out early in the third stanza from chasing down their opponents at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat. I-Cyber finally found their rhythm and went on an eight-point streak in the final quarter to lead 63-57 four minutes in.
It was clear that Syarikat Bukit Ladang were struggling as I-Cyber's centre, Shim Jan Ting, dominated the boards on both ends of the floor. I-Cyber slowed down their pace in the dying minutes as they nursed a 69-62 lead to ensure their victory.
How said Syarikat Bukit Ladang, which boast a number of senior ex-national players, had the rhythm but were lacking speed due to their age. "When we were open we tried to score and get fouls and they also had foul trouble, which is what we were hoping for," said How.
"After that it was easier for us to score inside the paint. "Most of us in the team don't really train, we just came and grouped together to play as friends while trying our best to play as a team," he said.
I-Cyber will be locking horns with Mochi-Each A Cup (MEAC) for the second time in their next clash of the competition. The time and date of the match will be announced at a later date. The first match between the two sides saw MEAC take down I-Cyber 91-74.
MEAC are still undefeated in the competition with five wins under their belt. They took down Le Doux Patisserie 81-73 during their second encounter yesterday. Their successful run also saw them beat Yuan Thong Enterprise 77-65, Syarikat Bukit Ladang 82-53 and DMC Enterprise 70-57.
MEAC are the favourites to win the tournament after being crowned champions of the 2013 Aewon Cup in October.
