NONTHABURI (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SEABA Pre-Qualifier) The FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers started off with a bang in an intense game between Indonesia and Malaysia before closing out with dominating wins from Thailand and Singapore.

 The Indonesia National Team were expected to be favorites in their match up against Malaysia but needed a come-from-behind rally in the final minutes to seal the 66-64 win.

The game started with Indonesia rushing out to a 16-7 lead after a three-pointer by Arki Wisnu (10 points) but that turned out to be the biggest lead for both teams in a very tight affair. Foul trouble hampered Indonesia throughout the entire game and it allowed Malaysia to keep the game close.

Malaysia were led by a red-hot Ting Chun Hong, who scored 21 points on 5-8 three-point shooting. The pace was set for Ting from the start of the game with an immediate 7 straight points and Indonesia found it hard to contain him for the remainder of the game. 

Valentino Wuwungan shouldered a majority of the load in the middle of the game with his long range shooting. The forward had 13 points on 3-4 three-point shooting to go with 5 rebounds and 4 steals. 

Neither team led by more than 5 points after Indonesia lost their nine-point cushion in the first quarter and they traded baskets back and forth. It was a situation that favored the experience advantage of Indonesia and they took that advantage with time winding down.

Malaysia held a five-point lead with only three minutes to go in the game but Indonesia were able to keep calm and apply enough pressure to complete the turnaround.

Sandy Kurniawan’s only three-point made in the game closed the gap down to two points and the momentum continued to swing. The following sequence was a turnover and an unsportsmanlike foul by Wong Yi Hou quickly turning the game to a two-point lead for Indonesia. Kuek Tian Yuan was unable to knockdown a free-throw that could have tied the game up, leaving Xaverius Prawiro to ice the game and claim the win. 

The second game of the day wouldn’t be as close, to the delight of the home crowd. The Thailand National Team welcomed a sizable crowd to witness their opening game against Brunei Darussalam. Thailand didn’t disappoint, walking away with a comfortable 120-37. 

Thailand jumped to quick 18-0 run highlighted by an alleyoop dunk from Chanatip Jakrawan leaving the visiting Brunei National team shellshocked. Brunei tried to recover, scoring their first basket at the five-minute mark of the first quarter and continued on with a 7-0 run sparked by Benjamin Sim but the talent level of the Thais was too much to withstand. Nakorn Jaisanuk replied to Brunei’s run with four straight triples by himself, leaving the game out of reach for good. 

Coach Douglas Marty cleared the benches from that point onwards, giving an opportunity for 17-year-old Toby Tai Sathitsumpan to get his feet wet. Sathitsumpan displayed a confidence level well beyond his age and finished with 25 points and six triples. 

Tyler Lamb flirted with a triple-double of 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists and got to rest on the bench early as Marty finished the game with his bench. 

The final game of the day would result in a similar outcome as the Singapore National Team trampled over Cambodia, 129-47.

Singapore never gave their opposition a chance and dominated the young Cambodia squad form start to finish. Leon Kwek finished with an effective triple-double (19 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) while Kelvin Lim (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Lavin Raj (11 points and 12 rebounds) both finished with double-doubles. 

Dominic Dar (19 points, 6-24 shooting) had a rough night as he was swarmed by Singapore’s defense and though he got some help from Sophara Chin (16 points, 7-13 shooting), there was not much else Cambodia could do. 

Malaysia will start off tomorrow’s games against Cambodia at 1:00 PM. Thailand and Singapore will take their dominating wins to the test against each other at 3:30 PM. Indonesia will be getting a relatively easier follow up game after a hard fought win against Brunei Darussalam at 6:15 PM.

 RESULTS

 Indonesia beat Malaysia, 66-64
Thailand beat Brunei Darussalam, 120-37
Singapore beat Cambodia, 47-129

FIBA