MASUM 0708 Semi vs UUM

MASUM 0708 Semi Finals

1 more step to return to the Finals. But first we had to take care of business and get through the Semi Finals.

Semi Finals was against UUM. Last year, UUM had intentionally lost the group match against UKM in order to avoid meeting us in the Quarter Finals (UKM ended up losing to us in the Quarters last year). We therefore had the pyschological advantage against UUM.

However, we had 1 of the worst starts in the competition. We started the game with a careless turnover (by Amirul) and a missed assignment (not sure whose) - both leading to easy lay ups, 3 rushed shots (2 by Phang and 1 by Chen Wee), defensive breakdown allowing open 3 point shot ... and suddenly we were down 8-2.

However, we were not unduly worried and had confidence that our starters would settle down. Sure enough, our starters settled down and dug in on defense. UUM started to have great difficulty scoring or even finding shot opportunities and committed several turnovers and shot clock violation. Meantime, Chuan carried us early with shots inside, outside (3 point) and from the free throw line. When the 2nd unit came in, they continued to play good tough defense. We felt we were in control though the score was close. At the end of the 1st quarter, we had gotten the lead (15-14). We would have led by more but players missed some easy, in-close shots (FG% = 27%) and missed 6 out of 12 FTs.

In the 2nd quarter, we continued to play good tough, aggressive defense and UUM continued to struggle to find scoring opportunities. However, on offense we continued to miss easy, in-close shots that kept bouncing out (several by Wei Cheng who normally makes these shots easily). Consequently, the score remained relatively close though we were clearly in control. At the half, we had opened a small 5 point lead (31-26).

We were still wary though as UITM had been "in control" during their quarter finals against UUM and led the whole game and even had a 11 point lead with 3 minues to go before UUM came storming back in the last 3 minutes with a 17-0 run with several 3 point shots, multiple foul shots and even a 4-point play, to win that game. We therefore new that UUM was too dangerous a team to let them stay close and reminded our players that we had o maintain our defensive and offensive focus in the 3rd and start to get some separation.

Our players responded and maintained the same defenssive intensity and focus, holding UUM to just 3 jump shots and 1 3-pointer on 31% shooting, 7 turnovers and a 14-7 advantage on rebounds. UUM continued to struggle just finding shooting opportunities. Everything was contested. But the difference was we finally found our offensive rhythm and those early easy shots finally started to fall. We shot a blistering 60%? That 3rd quarter, scoring 25 points with 20 of the poins coming from "in the paint"!

By the end of the 3rd quarter, we were firmly in control with a 18 point lead (57-38).

In the 4th we were clearly in control and maintained a comfortable 20 point lead through out the 1st 5 minutes of the 4th quarter, with our 2nd unit playing against their 1st unit. Poh Guan, leading the 2nd unit also found his offense, with a 3 pointer and several beautiful dribble penetration and score or assists.
At the customary 5 mintute mark (leading 66-45), we asked the 1st unit to sub-in.

As our 1st unit were reached the scorer's table to wait for sub-in opportunity, misfortune struck as Wei Cheng, going for a rebound, landed on a UUM player's foot and twisted his ankle badly - seconds before he (and the other 2nd units were about to be subbed-out.

Well, injuries like these are things we cannot control and usually occurs in the course of any competition. Championship teams have to be able to deal with such player injuries and other players have to step up.

For this game, the 2nd unit's rotation was done anyway. Not wanting to risk further injury, the 1st unit (who subbed in) was instructed to slow the game down and use up the shot clock even though there were still 5 minutes to go.

Phang who had been playing PG for us since the 2nd quarter and playing the role of facilitator found himself with the ball often with the shot clock winding down and having to take "desperation" shots. Amazingly, Phang started hitting shot after shot (2 pointers and 3 pointers) with 1 or 0 seconds on the shot clock! This totally demoralized UUM and with 43 seconds left, Phang the last of his 3 point shot, again with 0 seconds left on the shot clock for a 74-49 lead.

UUM gave up and subbed out its starters and subbed in its bench players who had not played at all the whole game. Still UUM had to endure 1 more 3 point shot from Kok Way in the closing seconds.

FINAL SCORE : UM wins 77-49

Individually, Chen Wee (15p-15r) and Chuan (13p-12r) continued to have strong games with double-doubles. Phang too had a complete game with 12 pts, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. 8 of his 12 pts came in the last quarter during his flurry of last second shots. Poh Guan also stepped up his game with 10 pts and 6 assists. As usual Poh Guan was again both the assist leader and the turn-over "king" ... but this ime he only had 3 TOs for an acceptable 2:1 Assist:TO ratio.

Though a good victory, the happiness and excitement of succeeding in making it to the finals again (with an unbeaten record this time!) was tempered by the injury to Wei Cheng, who is a critical component of the 2nd unit. As usual, other players will just have to step up.

Next update : FINALS vs UPM