As widely expected, top ranked Extra Joss Fighters and archrivals ALLN Confucius Supermen cruised into the final of the Cambodian Basketball League with emphatic wins over MSGM Beast 113-76 and Bayon Airline 75-59 respectively at the Olympic Stadium Indoor Arena on Sunday. The title showdown is set for Saturday.
The Fighters got off to a flying start through the enterprising Siruma Stephen after Kelechi Njoku won the tip-off, and the side stretched out well to end the first quarter 27-14.While the Fighters kept the pressure on their rivals, Hong Kwan rallied the Beasts with a couple of 3-pointers, yet that effort was wholly inadequate to bridge the gap, which by half-time had grown to 56-37.
After changing ends, Jomar Santos (18 points) and Kelechi Njoku (18) kept the Fighters scoreboard moving. With a runaway lead, the entire Fighters squad got on the scoresheet to push the total past the century mark. Hong Kwan (24 points with six 3-pointers) top scored for the Beasts.
In the other semi, the Supermen were given a scare as Bayon kept fighting on level terms through the first two quarters, at the end of which the second-ranked Supermen held a slender lead, 27-24.
In the second session, the depth of the Supermen’s roster proved vital as the Bayon bench rotation could not keep pace, allowing Jonna Cunnaman (20 points) and Aimar Sabayo (17) to run riot under the basket.
Bayon were served well by Chhor’s bravery in competing for rebounds at both ends and making them count with 17 points.The title game will be held on Saturday at 4pm, with the third place playoff between Bayon Airlines and MSGM Beast tipping off before that at 2pm.
Meanwhile, Siem Reap’s Kou Prey won the Cambodian Basketball Federation’s 3x3 basketball tournament for the under-17s, beating Pate 21-8 in the final at the Olympic Stadium Indoor Arena on Saturday. Stephen Curry defeated ALLN 10-8 to clinch third place.
Cam Ed took the top honours in the girls’ section after beating Unique Girls 8-6 in the final.As many as 20 teams took part in the tournament, which was sponsored by 123 Fly Group.
