Foreign imports stand out like a sore thumb

04/05/1998

WHEN the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship concluded at
the Stadium Negara on Saturday, one point stood out like a sore thumb.
All the teams that took part relied heavily on their foreign imports to
deliver the points, including new champs China Hanwei.
The guiltiest of the lot was Petronas of Malaysia local players who were
seen time and again hanging around the court expecting Americans Justin
Wimmer and Steve Spurlock to score on their behalf.
Granted, that they did not have the height or skills to compete with the
other club players, but it was pathetic to watch them produce a brilliant
flash once in a blue moon and then hide behind the backs of the
foreigners.
A constant show would have earned them praises.
Justin made their duty in the team clear as early as the second match
against Uzbekistan MHSK which Malaysia narrowly won 74-71 when he said
that he and Spurlock are only here to assist and not win matches for
Petronas.
Ng Joo Lay, K. Satyaseelan, Wong Tai Ong, Oh Poh Aik - just to name a
few - are all veterans where basketball is concerned and will probably be
leading the charge when the Asian Games begin in December in Bangkok.
But there was no urgency to learn from the foreigners, instead it looked
like the imports were expected to win the matches for Petronas. Instead,
Wimmer ended up as the topscorer for Petronas and wiser from the ABC
experience.
The final was another affair that fizzled out two minutes into play. In
China Regal, who otherwise played like champions in all their earlier
matches. Even when they lost by two points to Lebanon Al-Ryadi in the
prelimanes to deny Toshiba Red Thunders a semis berth, Regal showed more
class.
Then there was the free throw awarded to Regal's John Spencer with 10
seconds remaining on the clock. Spencer, in what must have been tremendous
pressure on his shoulders or just plain poor shooting, ended up as the bad
guy and handed the title to China Hanwei. Petronas could only win the best
sportsmanship award.
ROLL OF HONOUR - Best Sportsmanship Award: Teh Choon Yean (Petronas);
Outstanding Playmaker Award: Wayman Strickland (China Regal); Sixth Man
Award: Elie Nasr (Lebanon Al-Riyadi); Top Scorer Award: Bobby Ray Parks
(Beeper 150); Most Valuable Coach: Felton Sealy (Bangkok Club) and Li Xin
(China Hanwei); Most Valuable Player: Michael Cumberland (Lebanon Al-
Riyadi).
(END)