BLOWOUT WIN. Ting Chun Hong explodes for 33 points to lead Harimau Malaysia past Shawarma Shack Pilipinas, 96-76, at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday night (April 13, 2023). Harimau Malaysia is composed of national players who will play in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games next month. (Photo courtesy of AsiaBasket)
MANILA – Harimau Malaysia continued to make waves in the AsiaBasket International Championship after beating Shawarma Shack Pilipinas, 96-76, on Wednesday night at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Harimau Malaysia pulled away in the fourth quarter by outscoring Shawarma Shack, arguably the most stacked Filipino team in the field, 30-14, to seal the blowout win. Harimau Malaysia is composed of national players who will play in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games next month.
Ting Chun Hong sizzled for 33 points on 11-of-19 field goals including 8-for-13 on three-pointers, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks for Harimau Malaysia, which joins College of St. Benilde (CSB) on top of Group A with a 2-0 record.
Wong Yi Hou added 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Dee Wee Yiang contributed 13 points on 5-for-8 field goals including 3-of-4 from long range, one rebound, one assist, and one steal.
Mike Harry Nzeusseu put up 28 points, 22 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal, while Ken Bono added 22 points, two rebounds, and four assists for Shawarma Shack, which dropped to 1-1.
Earlier in the day, the CSB Blazers sizzled in the second half to beat the MFT Fruitmasters, 93-63.
MFT took control of the first half and entered halftime ahead, 40-31, but CSB went on a 29-9 third quarter to go up, 60-49.
The Blazers completed the rout after a 33-14 fourth quarter for the final tally.
Miggy Corteza once again led CSB, now 2-0 in Group A play, with 20 points, three rebounds, and one block, while Zenric Jarque and Alaine Cajucom each added 14 points.
Allen Liwag made his CSB debut and finished with nine points, five rebounds, three steals, and one block off the bench.
Marlon Monte had 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists for the now 0-2 MFT squad, although he had seven turnovers.
On the other hand, San Beda-Machateam put an end to MBC Kirin's early dominance with a 68-58 win.
San Beda turned back MBC by playing tough defense which held them to less than 60 points after back-to-back solid offensive games to start the tournament.
Yukien Andrada led San Beda, now 2-0 in Group B, with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Jacob Cortez and Jomel Puno each added nine markers.
Wutipong Dasom led MBC, which fell to 2-1, with 14 points, three rebounds, and one assist, although he had four turnovers.
In the curtain-raiser, the BGC Builders prevailed over The Th3rd Floor-KalosPH-Cooly, 98-95.
Tosh Sessay preserved a monster outing this time as he led BGC, now 1-1 in Group B, with 30 points, 19 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block.
Christian Buñag added 21 points and six rebounds, while Doligon made 16 points, five rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
Gerald Anderson led The Th3rd Floor, which fell to 0-2, with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals. (PNA)
