S17 - National Tournament - Artsy finish by Mauras Duskauskas earn Eric United a Tournament Seminifal ticket after hold off Defending Cup SLZH 89-87.
EU fans are cheering joyfully, the team is back to semifinal after some decades.
Mauras Duskauskas provided EU for their best ever crunch-time delivery. With Abilov tied the game at 87-87, he droved the ball past Jarno Merinkagas but suddenly stepped back and scored the fade away for 89-87 with 3 seconds left. Merinkagas failed to score final baskets, and EU runaway with the victory.
Eric were trailed at most on the game. With their game on the bring, trailing 74-80 with four minutes left, suddenly EU woke up to score the next 9 points, capped by Gruner three pointer over Augusto Gomez dish, to claim their first lead since 1st quarter 83-80. EU three point lead lasted until final 22 seconds, and after SLZH timeout, a dagger trey by SLZH Eldegez Abilov tied the game at 87-87. But EU chose not to timeout and put their fate on Duskauskas and he delivered.
The game was featured with two ejection, EU Fu Er Qiang was kicked out by referee after trying to land his foot at Donatello Steri. And Leandro Perrone was ejected after earned his second technical, cause a huge loss for SLZH middle core, leave Merinkagas to shoulder their team. Merinkagas did his best, scored a fantastic 35pts (17-24 FG) and 19rebs, but received less help from teammate, with only Don Steri with 14pts.
Augusto Gomez led EU with 17pts, Duskauskas and Gruner each have 15. Harri Simenson scored 14 and 6 assists on 25minutes, was a big factor on EU 4th quarter 9-0 run.
Compassvale United survived Montecucco's 54 points, beat Fat-A 94-91.
One of the Singapore BB hottest team, CPU, also advanced to Cup Semifinals for the first in many seasons back. Although they beat Fat-A, the win was almost blown away. With CPU possession and lead 91-88, Montecucco stole an errant pass by Chun May, sank another trey to pull within one 91-92. Luckily time running out, and CPU was getaway with the win. Lin Baoxiang led CPU with 20pts and 14rebs. Mel Miller has 19pts. Wang Xianjia was struggled again after manned up against Fat-A big diesel Konrad Krasnitzer.
Requiem Of Dream shutdown Bobblehead, FuTureSG survived Singapore Slashers
Another hottest team on the Nation, Requiem Of Dream, made a further step onto their portfolio by participating on Cup Semifinal after defeating SBBL Bobblehead 113-104. Key player Ernesto Ceresi lead the team with 38pts and 10rebs, and Guillermo Olmedo has 26pts 12rebs and 4asts. Both player clearly dominated inside, which is a huge hole for Bobblehead team.
Meanwhile FuTureSG, eased up their doubt with a confident performance against underdog team Singapore Slashers, won with 95-83 after broke the deadlock on 4th quarter with 31-17. Pedro Ribeiro led the team with 21pts, Bronislovas Dabrukas has 19pts, and SGP U21 Abdul Rauf Ishak has 16pts. Slashers were led by their new juggernaut José Ignacio Manosalva with 27pts and 15rebs, and Teslim Pekbas with 19pts.