NONTHABURI (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Eastern Region Pre-Qualifiers) – Two of the last four tickets to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers have been claimed, putting pressure on the remaining 4 teams in the final two days. Malaysia and Guam secured big wins against tough opponents to claim their prizes, while Thailand comes in a little closer with their victory.

Malaysia vs Singapore (66-60)

Malaysia finished the game with a 21-2 run to complete an improbable comeback to stay undefeated by beating Singapore 66-60.

Singapore were up 58-44 with 8 minutes left in the game, but a flurry of turnovers and a cold streak allowed Malaysia to comeback into the game and secure the win. Wong Yi Hou was once again the late game hero for Malaysia and finished the game with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. The veteran leadership of Kuek Tian Yuan was also vital as the vocal point of Malaysia’s ralley. The 27-year-old led the team with 12 rebounds and also got 9 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.

The Slingers looked great early in the game, bursting out to an 8-0 start. Leon Kwek and Delvin Goh had helped build up that 14-point deficit which was eventually overturned. Kwek started the game going a perfect 7-7 from the field, but sputtered to a 1-4 finish and committed a total of 7 turnovers. Goh also finished the game with a strong performance of 17 points and 12 rebounds but couldn’t take advantage of his size down low in the clutch period. The lack of a clear point guard presence and veteran leadership was evident in Singapore’s 25 turnovers.

@MabaMalaysia closes out the game with a 21-2 run, coming back from down by as much as 14 points to win 66-60!#FIBAAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/PlqbU3gtJb

— 🏀FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) November 29, 2018

Malaysia have now officially claimed a ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers with their 3-0 record. Singapore will have to win their two remaining games against Macau and Indonesia to keep their hopes alive.

Thailand vs Macau (81-56)

Thailand had no trouble handling Macau with an 81-56 routing of winless Macau. The host nation were able to break free in the second quarter with a 10-0 run and never looked back.

Despite resting 4 of their usual starters, Thailand were able to keep things going along nicely from the production of an expected duo. 36-year-old vetern Nopporn Saengtong recorded a 23-point, 12-rebounds double-double while 20-year-old Attapong Leelapipatkul put up and all around 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Macau’s Lei Sio Wa logged an effort of 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Thailand shot only 38.9% from the field, but corralled 21 offensive rebounds to make sure they for their points in each possession.

With a 2-1 record, Thailand inches closer to qualifying for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 with two important games against Malaysia and Indonesia on the way. Macau have a tall task up ahead, needing back-to-back wins against Singapore and Macau to still be in the run to qualify. 

Guam vs Indonesia (65-53)

Defensive effort kept Indonesia in the game, but Guam fired back with their own lockdown defense to stay undefeated with a 65-53 win.

Earnest Ross was held to a tournament-low 13 points on 5/21 shooting, but Guam as a team were able to hold Indonesia to only 31.7% shooting en route to the victory.

Indonesia applied pressure on Guam for most of the game, starting with an 11-0 run to close out the first quarter in the lead. Jamarr Johnson had a near perfect start going 5-5 to start the game and had 12 points in the first half. Even as Guam tried to break away, Indonesia clawed their way back into the game with a 10-2 run tie the game 42-42, six and a half minutes into the third quarter. It was an impressive defensive stance that saw Guam score only one basket.

Russ Wesley came off the bench to break Guam’s shooting slump and his three-point shot ignited a 7-0 run to end the third quarter. Guam continued to flex their defensive muscles, keeping Indonesia without a field goal for 10 minutes to build up a 19-point cushion.

With Guam’s shooters struggling, Tai Wesley kept the offense going with 19 points to go with 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Indonesia’s Johnson had a strong start but struggled towards the end to finish with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals.

@guambball holds @timnas indo for only 2 points for an entire 10 minutes stretch to blow up the lead.

The final score is in favor for Guam 65-53 to stay undefeated.#FIBAAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/zkM6d17hKm

— 🏀FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) November 29, 2018

Guam secures the second ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 with their undefeated 3-0 record, leaving Indonesia at 1-2 with tough games against Singapore and Thailand in the upcoming days.

FIBA