Nikolovski, Singapore FC stingy defense hold down Compassvale United 74-70.
Even though ugly win, but Singapore FC did it with classy way.
With time ticking down, and both teams fighting hard, and when Perry Puesta was outdueled by Yeo Tse Hui, Leontie Nikolovski took over the job. Nikolovski went to score 10 of his 14points in the 4th, include two 3 pointers, to save the night for Singapore FC over Compassvale by four points.
Singapore FC led by two after first quarter, but went cold at second quarter, and Compasvale took five points lead after halftime. Perry Puesta stabilize the score to one point deficit at 3rd, before going cold at 4th quarter and Compassvale's Yeo Tse Hui become aggresive. Audi* finally sent Kang Puay Ying to slow him down, and it worked as YTH missed a crucial three pointer that could bring CPU for one point lead.
With this victory, Singapore FC stand tall leading on Big 8 conference, even without key players Vrisan Sharma and Sun Qingxian. Injury bug doesn't affect the team spirit and passion, which enabled them to play hard defense and win games.
Meanwhile on National Indoor Stadium, Lionheart Jaguar have to sweat a lot to calm NANDA's wrath at 4th quarter, and hold on with 93-83 victory. NANDA were on full power, shocked the crowd by pumping Lionheart Jaguar 17-2 run on the first quarter, before Lionheart Jaguar hobbling back to lead the score at 35-34. The start of 4th quarter much looked like a breeze when Mirko Martis switches to playmaker mode and dishes easy baskets for Jaguars, before NANDA made their final push behind SGP NT player Chung Wen Xin and Lin Cheng Qian. The most dangerous part was when Tone Galov repeatedly outhustled Mirko Martis for offensive rebounds and second chance points. NANDA even took the lead 82-81, after Chung Wen Xin thrashes Thomas Mayriedl for foul and one. But, Mirko Martiz calmly sank a jumper on the next possession, and Franciscze Sklorz buried a three from the right wing. Finally NANDA have to give away fouls, and weren't able to catch up.
Sklorz scored 31pts. Oscar Durban netted 13 points and season high 27 rebounds. Martiz has 16pts and 7assists. NANDA were led by their duo Chung Wen Xin and Lin Cheng Qian with 27pts.
Champions are those who kept fighting till the end. Even if we lost, we are still the Champion. "The Queen - We Are The Champions"