Starry Sports settles for third place

Lord Tiger played a catch up game in the third quarter and managed to reduce the gap to only three points ( 57- 60) at end of the quarter.

However, they were never able to grab the lead as Yuan Shui dictated play and went on to win the match with nine points more than their opponent.

It was also the first Men’s Open title for the team ( Saba) after a restructuring exercise three years ago. Starry Sports settled for third place after beating Efos Kimbay 63- 55 in the play- off.

Meanwhi le, Pest made a successful defence of their crown and registered their third consecutive victory in the women’s competition when they edged arch rival Boon Ting Products 50- 43 in the final.

It was a ding- dong battle from the start and Pest led 13-10 in the first quarter and 28-22 at half-time. By end of third quarter, they were still in charge, leading Boon Ting by only four points (39- 35).

The match was disrupted by a power blackout with six minutes left in the final quarter as Pest led Boon Ting 41- 36. Ten minutes later, the game resumed and Pest went on to win by seven points.

Finishing in third and fourth spots were Batu Lintang Seafood and GT Industries respectively.

Twenty- eight men players and 24 women players were named to the initial selection list for the Kuching team at the end of the competition. They shall report to the coaches at Sarawak Basketball Association Training Stadium at Seng Goon Garden, Hui Sing tonight at 7 o’clock for training and selection. Selected players will represent Kuching at the Sarawak Inter- Division Basketball Championship in Sibu from May 31 to June 3.