Harimau Malaysia rules Filbasket International Championship, beats KL in all-Malaysian final

Ting Chun Hong's leadership earned him the Filbasket championship and MVP honors. Filbasket (file photo)
By Dugout Philippines

KUALA LUMPUR—In the end, the national team proved their worth. 

Harimau Malaysia routed Kuala Lumpur Aseel in the final of the Sportsclick Filbasket International Championship 87-68 on Sunday night in front of a large and boisterous crowd at the MABA Stadium. 

Coached by Filipino Jeff Viernes, Harimau largely won this championship game from beyond the arc, drilling in 14-of-32 three-point attempts for an excellent 43 percent clip. Eight different Harimau players connected from three-point land.

Ong Wei Yong, Harimau’s starting point guard, led his team in scoring with 16 points while shooting forward Ting Chun Hong, who buried three of his four three-point attempts, had 15 points. 

Ting was also handed the tournament MVP award. The gunner averaged 19.0 points a game in six tournament games, all wins. 

The Malaysian NT also played disciplined defense, allowing their opponents only three free throws for the entire game.

Incredibly, Kuala Lumpur were not awarded a charity until Maegan Mahadevan had an and-1 attempt two minutes into the fourth quarter. He missed. 

The Aseel started brightly, taking an early five point lead but a torrent of triples from Yee Tong Heng, Wan Seong Lim and Lok Seng Mak meant the nationals led 31-21 after ten minutes. 

With Yong Gan Wee’s 12 first-half points, the Aseel trimmed the deficit to five, 47 to 42 at the half. 

Mei Mei Ting 8 points in the third period bloated the Harimau lead up to 17, but theAseel battled back to cut the lead to 70-58 heading into the final period.

But the Aseel, despite significant support from the crowd, could not make headway and succumbed to Harimau’s might in the last ten minutes. 

Yong Gan Wee led the Aseel with 14 points. The burly Mahadevan, heavily double-teamed by Harimau, was largely a non-factor with just six points. 

Although none of the three Philippine teams reached the final, Pinoy ballers did not leave empty-handed.

The Pilipinas Aguilas prevailed in the bronze medal game over Malacca Basketball Club 81-72.

Mac Baracael showed his pedigree with a 24-point output. 

Box Scores

First Game 

PILIPINAS AGUILAS 81-Baracael 24, Eze 12, Enguio 10, Aviso 7, Alanguilan 6, Racho 5, Khatibi 4, Cortes 4, Syhongpan 3, Mangahas 2, Bederi 2, Lao 2, 

MALACCA BASKETBALL CLUB 72-Hamilton 22, Yek 16, Quah 11, Kua 8, Phang 6, Lai 6, Lee 3, Cheah 0, Chan 0, Chua 0. 

Quarterscores: 18-11, 41-32, 66-59, 81-72

Second Game

HARIMAU MALAYSIA 87-Ong 16, Ting 15, Mak 11, Heng 8, Wong 7, Kuek 7, Tem 6, Lim 5, Lee 4, Hiew 3, Ooi 3, 

KUALA LUMPUR ASEEL 68-Wee 14, Dee 11, W. Tan 9, Liew 9, Lim 8, Mahadevan 6, Gan 5, Soong 4, Wong 2, C. Tan 0, Thea 0, Chan 0.

Quarterscores: 31-21, 47-42, 70-58, 81-72

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