Brunei lose to Hong Kong in Asia Cup qualifiers

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Fadhil Yunus

Brunei Darussalam national 3×3 basketball team fell to a second successive loss in Pool ‘D’ of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup Qualifier after suffering a 22-7 defeat to Hong Kong at the Singapore Sports Hub in Singapore last night.

Hong Kong made an early signal of intent when a combination by Tsz Wong and Lung Tsoi ended in the latter scoring the first basket.

But the Bruneians quickly made an instant response as Lim Liang Wei freed himself from the Hong Kong defensive unit to secure a point.

Chun Lam of Hong Kong then restored his team’s lead with a nice lay-up in what ignited a period of dominance.

Shortly after, Wong marched past a Brunei defence to add on to his team’s lead before his two-point shot landed into the net.

Brunei moved closer as Jake Chong provided an underhand scoop but it was all Hong Kong who dominated play since.

With Hong Kong establishing a double-digit lead, Brunei finally stopped the run as Lim Liang Wei earned another bucket.

Brunei may had looked out of the contest but Liang Wei’s doggedness to drive the ball into the basket forced a personal foul by Hong Kong as he converted another point.

Hong Kong inched closer to victory as Lam changed direction to contribute with a basket before drawing another foul which he missed at the line.

Tsoi put his shot with a nice turnaround summarising how the game went for Hong Kong.

After spotting space in the centre of the court, Tsoi made a wonderful assist as Cheng put the finishing touches to a comprehensive victory. Tsoi was again responsible for inflicting damage to a wounded Brunei team as he took his long stretched arms to good use with a fine conversion.

Lim Liang Wei scored another consolation point helped by an unguarded run into the basket before Hong Kong was awarded two free throws for an opportunity to put the game to bed.

It was fitting that Tsoi who was entrusted with the task to end the match but he delayed the inevitable after only making half of his free throws.

The 21-seeded Brunei were spared more game time and they had time to show their capabilities as Jake Chong and Lim Liang Wei bagged two additional points.

The game finally came to an end at 1:25 as Cheng deposited the ball off at the bank with a fine two-pointer.

Brunei concluded their qualifying campaign against Malaysia last night.