What an INCREDIBLE and heart stopping finals game!!
We started the game with our trademark excellent aggressive half court
man-to-man defense. UiTM looked hesitant at the start and made some
early mistakes and had trouble with our defense. We pulled out to a
bit of a lead 6-2 and then 11-4.
But after about 5 minutes, they settled down and started to handle our
defensive pressure better. Then their expected full court press
started and forced us into a few errors and they started to close the
gap. By end of 1st quarter, they had held us to 12 points only. Score
after 1st quarter : 12-7.
In the 2nd quarter, we started our own three quarter court zone press
whenever we had the opportunity and when we didn't, maintained our
good man defense. During this sequence I needed to let the starters
rest and started rotating bench players in. All bench players who
played, played EXCELLENTLY. There were mistakes but they all made up
for it with their heart and hustle. The game became a defensive battle
- our defensive scheme against theirs.
At half time, UiTM had taken a small lead : 22-21. An unusually low
scoring game for both teams.
At half time, I reminded our team that we must continue to believe in
our shooting. Our defense and their defense were playing each other to
a stale mate. The difference, I believed, would be our shooting.
Throughout the 3rd quarter, the score stayed close. UiTM has several
very good and super quick ball handlers and really tested our man
defense.
After 3 quarters, our shooting had staked us to a small lead : 33-29.
As we went into the 4th quarter, our shooting continued to allow us to
pull away. With 2 min 30 secs left and us up by 10 points (49-39), we
went to our usually trusty 4-down delay tactics. Everyone was
thinking, this is it, we've got the game won.
But then, our 1st 4-down resulted in a missed shot and UiTM rushed up
a 3 point shot that hit the front rim and bounced in. Our next 4-down
sequence, our team captain, Jensen, lost the ball and they had a
fastbreak layup. Suddenly our lead was down to 49-44! Time out UM.
We tried to settle our players down. We went back into our 4-down and
Jensen again beat his man off the dribble but passed to Poh Guan
instead of shooting. Not expecting a pass, the ball went out of bounds!
UiTM inbounded and rushed up court and got another layup : 49-46!!
Again we fail to score and UiTM scored again : 49-48! Time out UM
again with 24.2 seconds left.
I told our boys, just hold the ball for a shot clock violation and
we've got the game won.
After the time out, UiTM went into a full court press and we almost
lost the ball! Out of bounds in our favour. They pressed again and our
1st year point guard, Jack, threw a risky pass and the ball went out
of bounds off UiTM's player ... But referees called it UiTM's ball.
16.1 seconds left an UiTM called a time out.
I looked at Jack and was thinking whether Jack was still mentally
tough after the turnover. I have a LOT of faith in our players and
decided to leave him in. And he immediately rewarded me! On UiTM's
inbounds, Jack intercepted and stole the ball! UiTM fouled Jack. Jack
stepped up calmly to the free throw line and hit both free throws for
a 3 point lead : 51-48, with 14 seconds to go.
On the following UiTM time out, I reminded our players to never be
afraid to play overtime so that even if they made a 3 pointer, we must
inbound safely and not be too concerned with trying to score. Avoiding
a turnover would be critical.
When UiTM inbounded, we defended but off a broken play, a UiTM player
threw up a desperation 3-pointer that hit the back board an banked in!
Tie score : 51-51!! 9 seconds left.
Despite my earlier reminder (I was out of time outs), our players
rushed the inbounds and turned the ball over!! UiTM's center (No. 15)
got the ball and put up a short jumper that went halfway down and
(thankfully) spun out again!! Overtime!
In overtime, UiTM's small and speedy guards made a few shots and they
took a small 2 point lead. Our players scored too and kept closing the
gap and would not allow them to pull away. Finally our shooting
started to come through for us. With Poh Guan playing aggressively and
making layups and drawing fouls and Jensen making short jumper after
jumper and Kelvin hitting a critical and difficult layup in heavy
traffic!
Finally with us holding onto a small lead (61-60) and time winding
down, they fouled Jensen who stepped up calmly to the free throw line
and hit another 2 big, critical free throws : 63-60.
Again I reminded our players, do not be afraid of OT. UiTM ran their
play and their super speedy guard (No. 7) got loose at the 3 point
line. Jensen recovered and did a "fly-by". No. 7 calmly pumped fake
and waited for Jensen to fly by and then lined up an open 3 pointer.
This time it was off and we rebounded! Time ran out!!
Finally, after an exciting and hard fought OT game, we won 63-60!!
Thanks to all the supporters who came from near and far (some from
Penang and Johor!!) to attend the game and who cheered so hard for us
throughout the game. (see picture)
Thanks also to all other UM supporters who have been calling me and/or
sending text messages with encouraging and congratulatory messages.
Thanks also to all who have been following the blog updates here and
been supporting us in spirit from wherever you all are.
We are Champions again!!! Well done UM!
