James Kon (Borneo Bulletin)
ADOLLO Bibat’s two free throw shots with 2.9 seconds left in regular time helped the all-Filipino Linktech basketball team beat the resilient YTE team 77-76 at the Brunei Pepsi Cup at the Batu Bersurat indoor basketball court last night.
Linktech who took charge of the match as soon as the tip off took a 15-point lead in the middle of the third quarter after YTE rallied with a late surge in the fourth quarter.
The reliable Edmund Tan of YTE was having an off night scoring just 15 points while his side-kick Yap Chun Ping has 13 points before he was carried off the court when he sustained a minor concussion with four minutes left on the clock.
Linktech’s Elvin Requntin and Geve Leonas combined partnership scored a total of 33 points.
As soon as the tip off, Linktech took over the match and surged in front with a three-point lead by the end of the first half 19-16.
The momentum carried on in the second quarter and Linktech extended their lead to double digits. By the end of the 10 minutes quartet, Linktech led 3828.
The story was the same in the third quarter whereby Linktech continued to hold off YTE and maintained their lead. By the end of the third quarter, Linktech were leading 62-48.
However, YTE made a late charge in the fourth quarter to try to take the game away from Linktech.
Late in the fourth quarter, Edmund Tan’s three points play got YTE back in the game with a one point 76-75 lead and with just 19.7 seconds left on the clock. In the next possession, a costly turnover by Geve Leonas gave the possession back to YTE.
In a desperate move, Linktech players immediately fouled No7 Lim Aik Hock to stop the clock.
Lim Aik Hock has a chance to stretch the lead but under immense pressure, the YTE point-guard missed both free throws.
In the next possession, Adollo Bibat was fouled and he stepped up to the three throw line and made two crucial game winning shots.
Coach Lito of Linktech said after the game: “We were very lucky to have won the game. Lady luck was on our side today.”
In the other game, Eng Seng Keo defeated Kitchen of Jasmine 79-56.
Prior to the game, the guest-of-honour, Awang Haji Mohamd bin Panglima Asgar Dato Paduka Hj Abdullah officiated the first match by tossing the ball for tip-off.
Today match-ups will start at 4pm where ladies team Ismakon will take on Sally Beauty Saloon and then Muara Gas to play Ranoadidias Rockettes.
The men’s matches will start at 7pm whereby Urban Chich will face Bukit Ladang and White Heaven taking on De lightz coffee shop.
