The Cebuano-coached Sarawak Eagles from Malaysia continued to impress in the Cebu Friendship Invitational Basketball Cup 2016.
In last Monday’s action at the Cebu Coliseum, the Sarawak Under-17 Eagles booked a championship ticket in the U-17 division when they ousted the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves, 82-65.
Sarawak is also on the verge of making it to the championship round in men’s division after the Eagles nosed out the SG/ARQ Builders, 61-58.
The Malaysian teams are mentored by Cebuano coach Britt Reroma.
Sarawak U-17 will play for the championship tonight against the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters.
Sarawak Men’s Team banked on a late three-pointer by Choo Wei Hong to survive a tight contest with the Builders.
Sarawak had a 56-54 lead with 30 seconds left to play. The Eagles got more breathing space when Ma Chee Kuen split his free throws.
SG/ARQ didn’t give up easily as Ronan Isidro was fouled while attempting a shot. He made the first free throw but missed the second. Cameroonian center Ahmed Salihou was there to the collar the offensive rebound and put the ball back in that tied the contest at 58-all with 10 seconds left.
Reroma then drew up a perfect play that saw Hong making a wide-open three-pointer with two seconds remaining.
Jack Lim and Ma Chee Kuen paced the Malaysians with nine markers apiece. Ahmed Salihou topped the Builders with 22 points.
The finalists in the men’s division will be determined after last night’s game between Bogo City and SG/ARQ, which was ongoing at press time.
A win by the Builders will create a triple tie at 2-1 (win-loss) between SG/ARQ, Bogo City and Sarawak. The tie will be broken via points differential, with the top two earning the championship berth.
Bogo can avoid complications if it beats SG/ARQ as a victory will send them to the title round against Sarawak.