Petronas throw game away

30/04/1998

PETRONAS missed 70 per cent of their free throws and in the process went
down 80-70 to Korea's Hyundai Dynat in the Asian Basketball Confederation
(ABC) championships at Stadium Negara yesterday.
Jay Webb's dunks and accurate three-point shooting by Lian Kwun Fan and
Leung Yuet Ming gave Hyundai Dynat a berth in the semifinals at the
expense of Petronas.
"Poor shooting, silly fouls and defensive errors handed the match to the
Koreans. They were also better with their three-pointers," said Petronas
coach Brian Lester.
Lester singled out Webb as the best player on court, doing most of the
damage near the basket.
"But I must say Ng Joo Lay and Yong Yoon Phin played their best match so
far to keep us in the contest every time the Koreans pulled ahead," he
said.
"We must improve on our free throws which were very poor today
(yesterday). We also have to cut down on our turnovers."
Petronas will now play for fifth place.
Hyundai opened up a 10-6 lead. Then it was Park Jae Hun turn to take
control as he stroked three straight threes in a row as Petronas kept
leaving him open.
With five minutes left in the first half, Webb was awarded a free throw
but missed both. Petronas awoke from their slumber to lead 21-20 and, at
halftime, led 36-34.
When the game resumed, the indications were there that it was going to
be an uphill battle for Petronas to make the last four. Wild passing by
Justin Wimmer allowed the Koreans to open up a nine-point lead at 45-36
four minutes into the half.
Petronas' other American import, Steve Spurlock, appeared to be limping
for much of the match and was a non-factor.
Hyundai Dynat opened up a 10-point lead with seven minutes to play but
Ng continued to drive along the baseline and score after he replaced
Wimmer.
It was a close tussle with three minutes left but poor shooting by
Petronas gave Hyundai the game.
Results: Toshiba Red Thunders 74 Bangkok Club 69; PanAsia 80 China
Hanwei 102; Petronas 70 Hyundai Dynat 80; Lebanon Al-Riyadi 82 China Regal
80.
(END)