Previously posted on FB ... for future reference.

July 18, 2012, 8:10pm

Sad to report we fell short in our campaign this year. We just lost our Semi Finals game vs UITM. Final score : 71-69. 

For the 1st time, we didn't start the game well. Perhaps it was the quick turnaround. Perhaps it was UITM's under the basket affecting our dribble penetration finish ... whatever the reason, our intensity was not what it usually is and we played at a pace that was "down" and totally in UITM's favor. 

Although we managed to finish the 1st quarter tied (15-15), the game flow was totally in UITM's favor. 

In the 2nd half, the game flow continued to go more and more in UITM's favor. We only managed to score 6 points in the 2nd quarter whilst giving up 19 points, to trail 21-34 at half time.

At our coaches urging, our players start to play with more "activity" and "intensity" but still no where near our "UM basketball" standard. We also went to our 3/4 court zone press but had limited success, whilst the scored whenever we didn't manage to cause a turnover. We won the 3rd quarter narrowly (22-18) and pulled within 43-52.

They opened the 4th quarter with a few scores and pulled our to another 14 or 15 point lead. But finally, after going to our 20 man-to-man press defense with high intensity, we finally started playing UMBBT basketball and the come back was on. In the closing minutes we drew within 1 or 2 points and even tied it at 67-67. But a few costly fouls and clutch free throws by UITM and our inability to foul quickly to stop the clock (we were trying but were playing 4 on 5 with Irfan having just made a great dribble penetration to draw us within 69-70, but fallen down outside the court with cramps).

We finally manage to foul but with only 3.2 seconds left. UITM made 1 free throw and missed the 2nd. We got the rebound and Jack tried to dribble penetrate in the hope of drawing a foul (at my prior instructions) but time ran out on us and no foul was called.

We came very close but on an honest assessment, this team, despite great strides and growth over the last 4 days, is still not quite a "Champions" team yet. We have one more game tomorrow vs USM to try to reach "champions" team level but will have to work harder and show even more commitment next year for a chance at the championship.

Thanks for all the support. We have one more game tomorrow 9:30am.

Cheers, Coach LY.