Singapore, Brunei Claim Victories as Indonesia Wins Thriller Over Thailand

NONTHABURI (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SEABA Pre-Qualifier) - It was primed that fans would be getting three good games in Day Four of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SEABA Pre-Qualifier and that’s exactly what they got. Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam all claimed wins in this day of competition.

 Singapore flipped the script with and outshot Malaysia from long range to break away with an 80-51 win. The game was more tightly contested that the final score suggests, with the victors lighting it up in the latter stages.

 The two teams kept the contest close in the first half, but it was clear from the start that the same issues that have slowed down Malaysia in the past were going to haunt them in this game as well. Still without a fully fit Teo Kok Hou, Malaysia committed costly turnovers over and over again. Of the 19 turnovers they committed, Singapore was able to convert into 24 points of their own. Just when Singapore looked to be breaking away with crisp passing to get easy baskets, Malaysia trimmed the lead down to 31-28 with 4 minutes left in the half.

 From there, the game would turn into the Leon Kwek show. Kwek ignited a 9-2 run with 7 points of his own to close the half and Singapore ran away with the rest of the game. The 21-year-old forward had his best game of the tournament with 27 points and 5 rebounds and it was his three three-pointers that really created the separation. Toh Qin Huang joined in on the three-point party with three of his own, accounting for 20 points to go with 7 rebounds.

 It was far from a game to remember for Malaysia, who had earlier put up two good games against Indonesia and Thailand. Fatigue may have caused their performance to drop, as they ended up shooting only 28.8% from the field. Ting Chung Hong and Wong Yi Hou combined for 22 points, but had to shoot 7 of 24 to get those points for the team.

 It took Malaysia nearly 7 minutes to score their 4^th points of the second half and by then Singapore had already gained total control of the game.

 The win gives Singapore a chance to end this tournament with a three-way tie at the top of the standings alongside Indonesia and Thailand. Malaysia’s loss forces them to have to beat Brunei Darussalam in the final game to clinch their qualifying spot.

 The marquee game of the day between Thailand and Indonesia didn’t disappoint, as it was complete with all the twists and turns and dramatic sequences to keep fans satisfied. The hosts Thailand ended up having their hearts broken as Indonesia beat them 75-74.

 The start of the game was already surprising on it’s own when Indonesia rushed out to a dominating 30-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. Indonesia just couldn’t seem to miss anything on the court and looked like they were going to be running away with the win. They shot a staggering 56.3% from the field in the first half, compared to Thailand’s 18.2% and it’s only a wonder how Thailand found themselves down by only 44-33 at the halftime buzzer.

But it just wouldn’t come to a close that easily.

 Hidden under the layers of the lead Indonesia had were the fouls they had been piling up, especially the three fouls on Arki Wisnu at halftime. Thailand came into the second half playing even more aggressively, pressuring the Indonesia defense and kept clawing away at the lead little by little. Indonesia’s shooting cooled down, struggling to find rhythm, which queued the moment for Thailand to unleash it’s run.

 Coach Douglas Marty finally used his fantasy twin tower line up of Teerawat Chantachon and Chanatip Jakrawan and it resulted in Thailand cracking the deficit down to single digits. The presence of the two freed up room at the perimeter, allowing two threes that would end up giving Thailand their first lead of the game just before the end of the third quarter.

 The final interval of the game keep everyone holding their breath on the edge of their seats. No team took a lead of more than three points until Jamarr Johnson’s free throws freed up a 5-point gap at 70-65 for Indonesia.

 Thailand then put down the clamps on defense. Two big steals from Tyler Lamb and pressure up front to force an 8-second violation turnover resulted in Thailand wiping away the lead. The Thai fans at Stadium29 got even more jubilant as great hustle from Patipan Klahan erupted an additional 4-point cushion with 38 seconds to go.

 Those 38 seconds proved to be too much for Indonesia and their comeback rally. Xaverius Prawiro hit a cold-blooded quick three in the following sequence, only to be followed by a turnover by Klahan.

 Jamarr Johnson then made a drive with 4 seconds left to draw a foul. He calmly iced the free-throws to silence the raucous crowd with a 75-74 Indonesia win.

 Indonesia now remains the only undefeated team in the tournament and is only a win away against Singapore to claim the outright championship. Thailand’s loss might not hurt their chances to qualify to the next round of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers which they have clinched already, but it will hurt them deep down as another chance that slipped away once again at the hands of Indonesia.

 After taking beatings at the hands of the other teams in the tournament, Brunei Darussalam and Cambodia were finally pitted against each other. The more experienced Brunei were able to prevail, claiming their first victory of the competition, 69-58.

 Brunei proved to be the superior in this game with their threesome of Hussin, Mizi, and Benjamin Sim, but Cambodia never allowed to gain complete control of the game only until the dying minutes. Every time Brunei tried to breakaway and open up the lead, Cambodia’s youth and speed were able to pull them back into the game.

 When Brunei started gaining steam in the third quarter to build up a 41-32 lead, Cambodia charged back again, stronger than ever and even over took the lead. They were led by their main man Dominic Dar who once again finished the game with a complete 40 minutes of play as well as 15 points and 3 assists.

 The breaking point was Banjamin Sim’s back-to-back threes at the 4-minute mark of the fourth quarter, widening the gap for good and allowed Brunei to cruise to the win. Sim finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds.

 Ahmad Termizi Bin Haji Noordeen sliced the defense of Cambodia for 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Md Zainul Ashyraf Hj Hussin did the work down low for a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.

 The loss for Cambodia holds them wins less and eliminates them from a chance at qualification. Brunei still keeps their hopes alive and it will take a win over Malaysia on the final day for them to stamp a ticket to the next round.