Hong Kong notches
first win of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships
by rick olivares
Duncan Reid was whistled for a three-point play on
Husain Altawash. The diminutive Bahraini point guard, who would score a game
high 29 points, hit his free throw for cut Hong Kong’s lead down to 80-76. Reid
looked to the official protesting the call.
Enraged. In Hong Kong’s next possession, the 6’6” Reid
dunked on his Bahraini counterpart, Ahmed Akber who has been throwing down some
crazy slams in this 2013 FIBA Asia Championships. “I don’t know where that came
from honesty,” said Reid later.
Reid’s dunk had his teammates bouncing up and down in
excitement. The entire tournament, there hasn’t been much to cheer about. They
hung tough against the Philippines for 35 minutes before succumbing to their
fifth straight loss.
This time, Hong Kong, spurred on by Reid’s monster
play, hung on for a 87-79 win.
During the warm-ups, Bahrain was dunking like crazy.
The Hong Kong team on the other hand watched the aerial display. After a bit
they stretched, took a bunch of jumpers, and went about the atypical round
robin layup line.
Come tip-off, it was Hong Kong that had lots more
energy. They rebounded, made the extra pass, and attacked the basket.
The result was 30-18 lead on account of a 12-5
advantage off the boards and 10 assists to the two of Bahrain.
With time running out, Chan Sui Wing tapped a rebound
to Lee Ki. With a second left, Lee buried the triple from the left quarter
court for a 30-18 lead. Lee and Duncan Redid lead Hong Kong with six points
each (the later scored on putbacks and reverse layups).
Bahrain still looked out of it at the start of the
second period as Husain Altawash took two shots without finding the bottom of
the net. Bahrain head coach Sasa Nikitovic yelled at his point guard to pass
the ball. Altawash complied and Bahrain finally begun to make a game of it.
Ironically, it was a near dunk by Akber that got his
team going. Akber took it strong to the rack but his tomahawk jam over Fong
Shing Yee bounced out. That awoke Bahrain from their self-imposed stupor.
Then Mohamed Kawaid and Ahmed Alderazi started
hitting long shots including one from beyond the arc to notch the count at
41-all.
It was Hong Kong’s turn to look lost. Their shooting percentage dropped from a
high of 52% to 33%.
Reid gave back Hong Kong the lead when he posted up
Akber. But Kuwaid responded with an 18-footer from a pass from Altawash. It was
43-all at the half.
The malaise Hong Kong found itself in continued in
the third period when in their opening possession they turn the ball over.
Bahrain on the other hand continued to roll.
Alderazzi connected on another jumper. Mohamed
Alderazzi hit Kawaid with a perfect bounce pass from the elbow and a layup,
47-43.
Hong Kong found its second wind when Duncan scored
back-to-back baskets. Then Lee complemented him with two triples.
After Duncan’s slam, Bahrain had a chance to further
whittle down the lead but Ahmed Alderazi turned the ball over. Hong Kong hot
four free throws to close out the match for their first win.
Duncan had plenty of help. Undersized power forward
Fong Shing Yee contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds. Although guard Chan Siu
Wing was off (five points), Lee Ki (16 points), Lim Kee Wong (12 points), and
Lam Man Chun (11 points) picked up the scoring lack.
Aside from Altawash, the Alderazi brothers, Ahmed and
Mohamed, finished with 11 and 16 points respectively while Mohamed Kawaid added
14 of his own. Bahrain lost its fifth match in six outings. Their only win was
an 82-80 win over India.
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