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Pegasus and Cocoro Advances to Semi Finals in last minute nail-biters.

Easy way thru for Swoosh and Phantoms

Pegasus and Cocoro had a testing Quarter Finals as they won with the slightest margins over their opponents.

Pegasus beat Flames 57-54 in the first Quarter Final match up last Sunday, but it could’ve gone the other way. Pegasus led by 12 points entering the 4th Quarter, but a scoring drought early in the quarter and a handful of missed layups brought the Flames as close as 1 point towards the end of the quarter. Pegasus’s defense, free throws, and Flames captain Fairil’s ejection won the game for the defending champions.

The game started with the Flames taking the lead with good ball rotation and defense. Pegasus had problems getting in the groove with Captain Jijun missing many easy shots. Turnovers were aplenty on Pegasus’s side, and the quarter closed out with the Flames in front by 8 points. Quarter number two, Pegasus were picking up, but still find it hard to stop Flames’s attack. Flames lead into halftime by 2 points.

Quarter number 3, the tables took a turn. Pegasus regained their composure, outscoring Flames 20-8 and closed the quarter with the lead. The trademark shut down defense and lightning quick fast breaks were in effect for Pegasus, and they looked to end the game with a big margin of victory.

Alas, it was not to be. Pegasus “played around too much”, missing a bunch of easy baskets and committing unnecessary fouls in the fourth quarter and allowed Flames to get back in the game. Flames trailed by 1 point with less than 2 minutes to go, and Pegasus bucked up on defense. Flames were forced to foul Pegasus’s players to stop the clock. While their free throw percentage were not so impressive (50%) in the fourth, Flames failed to capitalise on their next few possessions, either forcing shoots or turning the ball over. And the final score, Pegasus win 57-54.

Cocoro and Stallions took the stage next in their Quarter Final match, and they continued the close game left off by Pegasus and Flames. Both teams traded baskets back-to-back, and never lead more than 8 points. Cocoro’s Faiz was off the mark today, but provided the spark with good cut-and dishes to his teammates. Azahar was strong down low, and Ajiem got them going with baskets from everywhere.

Stallions were not far behind, Paie, Cat and Anip making a handful of threes. But Stallions made a fatal mistake in the final seconds when the score was tied 45. Cat committed a foul while in penalty, and it was 2 free throws for Cocoro. Make it they did, and Cocoro is in the Semis.

Swoosh had an easier game compared to Pegasus and Cocoro, beating UBSA 78-48. UBSA took the lead in the first quarter, Speedy Arip and Ipin providing the spark. While left open for the whole game, Yasier was off with his three pointers in the first half. UBSA lead into halftime.

Yasier and Guganeswaran rained threes in the third quarter, and the onslaught continued into the fourth quarter. Swoosh won the game, and Yasier was 11-24 from the 3 point line, setting a new record for the tournament.

Phantoms also had an easy game, beating Scorekeys 55-43. Phantoms lead as many as 20 points after first quarter. Phantoms let their guards down the next 2 quarters, and Scorekeys came back in to the game, posting a 10-0 run in the third quarter. Phantoms’s Imran resurrected the Phantoms with deft shooting and bagged the win for the Phantoms.

All games were played in Pusat Rekreasi JKKK in Balakong, Cheras on Sunday, 3 August 2008. The Semi Final will be played next Sunday, 10 August 2008, and will see Pegasus go against Phantoms, and Cocoro will take on Swoosh.