22/11/1997
Johor Tigers ................. 86 Selangor Dragons .......... 91
Perak Red Eagles ............. 81 Sarawak Hornbills ......... 83
JOHOR Tigers started the final of the Malaysian Basketball League (MBL) at
the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with a three-pointer from Oh
Poh Aik and never looked back.
In the first 10 minutes, Ng Chung Giat and Oh never missed a three-
pointer to give the Tigers 23-11 lead. Perak Red Eagles found the going
tough and also attempted to score from outside the perimeter but they
failed miserably.
With six minutes of the first half remaining on the clock, the Eagles
got their act together with K. Satyaseelan doing much of the damage.
However, the Tigers import George Butler got into the act with a well-
placed shoot in the dying minutes of the first half for a comfortable 43-
36 lead.
After the breather, Oh continued sinking three-pointers but the shortest
Eagle on court Choo Kah Loon replied with fine runs down the left to draw
level at 53-53.
With 10 minutes remaining on the clock, the Malaysian players from both
sides started overshadowing the imports with Teo Wei Shen of the Tigers
getting his name on the scorers list more frequently to pull the Tigers
away at 66-60.
The Eagles import Kenny Stone, who remained in the background thus far,
woke up from his slumber and sunk two baskets to inch closer.
But there was no stopping for the Tigers as they marched to a 86-81
victory over the two-time champions 86-81.
The Tigers walked away with RM100,000 for the win.
In the fight for third placing, Selangor Dragons, led by Americans Chris
Sneed and Ron Nunnely, beat Sarawak Hornbills to pocket RM20,000 while
Sarawak received RM10,000.
At half time, the score was 45-39 in favour of the Dragons.
The Hornbills fought back after the interval and the score stood at 78-
78 in the regulation time. The match went into extra time with both teams
digging deep into their reserves and fought point for point but Sarawak
players lost their willpower in the final minute and Selangor walked away
91-83.
(END)
