The Malaysian youth team continued to showcase its poise in the fourth, pounding Thailand in the clutch to take a 74-62 win, Monday morning at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
This is Malaysia’s second win while Thailand falls to 0-1 in the 2017 SEABA Under-16 meet.
After going scoreless in their opener against Indonesia, Wong Thiam Mun bounced back big. The 16-year-old filled up the stat sheet with 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and six steals to lead Malaysia’s comeback from 10 points down, 7-17, in the opening frame.
But it was the Malaysians stifling defense and Teoh Yi Kang’s heroics that helped stave off the debuting Thai team.
With Thailand holding a 41-40 lead with 9:05 left in the third, Malaysia locked down their opponents, holding them scoreless for the next six minutes and 14 seconds to gain a 46-41 lead. Fouls to end the third frame kept Thailand in the game.
Needing a spark, Malaysian floor general Teoh Yi Kang once again came up big in the end game, dazzling with four straight points to give his team a 62-53 lead with 4:45 lead.
An undergo stab by Natthanon Chayapiwat with 1:49 left sliced the lead to just four, but baskets by big man Tan Chee Way and two dagger triples by John Tang sealed Malaysia’s second win.
Tang finished the game with 16 markers, while Teoh scored seven of his nine points in the fourth.
Malaysia out-rebounded Thailand 57 to 43, while knocking down six more triples.
Chatin Rayyanawiwatpong scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and stole the ball thrice to pace Thailand. Chayapiwat added 12 markers on 50 percent shooting.
Malaysia will next face Singapore on Tuesday, May 16, at 12:00nn. Thailand, on the other hand, looks to bounce back when they face Indonesia in the first game of the day at 10:00am.
The Scores:
Malaysia (74) – Wong 24, Tang 16, Teoh Y 9, Tan C 7, Teoh W 4, Yap 4, Chin 3, S. Chandaran 3, Lee 2, Khor 2, Tan E 0.
Thailand (62) – Boateng 12, Chayapiwat 12, Wadman 8, Rattanawiwatpong 8, Preechahan 7, Homthuanlom 6, Buakaw 3, Preechatiwong 2, Kinnaret 2, Kamwised 2, Iabsap 0, Sprangthao 0.
Quarterscores: 17-21, 40-39, 49-48, 74-62.
