2019 MPL D League Day 13 Recap (28/4/19)
Well what a day we had for Game Day 13 of the MPL Development League (D-League). Three overtime periods in two games, buzzer beater shots and intense action as the Miri Firehorse kept their playoff hopes alive while the KL Dragons won the ‘Battle of the Dragons’ against the Westports Malaysia Dragons.
Miri Firehorse 99 Speed Hunters 96
Having lost their last 5 games, the Firehorse are in this for survival. Anything but a win would mean their season would be cut short early.
And they got off to an incredible start to lead 23-17 in the first period before pressing on to lead 40-27 at halftime and were looking very close to a second win in the season after taking a 57-44 lead into the fourth period.
Speed Hunters however have shown they have ample arsenal to overturn big scores and they rallied behind an early 10-0 run with Chong Koon Wei making some huge baskets to shave the lead to just 5 points.
Another 8-0 run under three minutes on the clock saw them tie the game at 68-all they looked to have won it when Tan Ee Wan and Koon Wei combined for 5 points with 16 seconds left on the clock.
But Ignatius Hii stepped with the biggest shot on the night as he sank a buzzer beating three pointer to tie it at 73-all.
It still looked to be Speed Hunters’ game in the first overtime period as they held a 80-77 advantage but Eddie Wong, who has been largely quiet all night, drew a foul and sank a triple with 9 seconds left on the clock.
Eddie however could not convert the plus one play and the game entered double overtime for the first time this season.
That’s where the game turned back in favour of the Firehorse as they built up a 9 point lead down to the last 60 seconds and will be relieved to take the win.
Ignatius was tenacious for the Firehorse as he led the team with 21 points including 4-of-5 shooting from the three ball.
John who played 41 minutes also had a top showing with 19 points while Eddie finished with 18 shooting 4-of-10 from range.
For Speed Hunters, Yeong Hi Yih led the team with 23 points while Ee Wan grabbed 18 markers before getting ejected. Captain Koon Wei also had a top-notched showing with 17 big points.
The win improved the Firehorse to 2-5 for the season and they are still very much alive in the playoff race while the Speed Hunters dropped to 3-4 and are now in danger of missing the playoffs.
Player of the Game: Ignatius ‘Tenacious’ Hii (21 points)
Boomtown moment: Ignatius’ three-point bomb to end the fourth quarter is the sweetest this season.
Livestats :- https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/MABA/1123053/
KL Dragons 78 Westports Malaysia Dragons 72
The ‘Battle of the Dragons’ was always going to be tense with bragging rights at stake.
The KL Dragons have blown away most of their opponents but the Westports Dragons would represent a different type of opposition by offering more intense defensive play.
The KL Dragons did lead for most of the game but they were just really unable to put much distance in the lead.
Knockdown shooter Wee Yong Gan was heavily guarded and the Westports Dragons certainly put up with an impressive defensive shift marshalled by Chin Cheng Wah.
That came to bite them back in the fourth period as Leong Kar Fatt converted a tough shot for the Westports Dragons to level proceedings at 66-all and was unlucky not to draw a foul.
Given a reprieve, the KL Dragons stepped it up in overtime duly outscored their sister team for the win.
Chiang Wei Er led the scoring for the KL Dragons with 21 points while Hung Ing Wai put in another top shift to finish with 17 markers and 10 boards.
For the Westports Dragons, Connor Chua had 17 points while Kar Fatt knocked down 16 markers. Captain Tan Wei Long had 13 points to go with 15 boards.
The KL Dragons are now 8-0 for the season although they are still second in the table behind Red Baron Youth, having played less games.
The Westports Dragons on the other hand are 5-3 for the season and remain in third place.
Player of the Game: Hung Ing Wai (17 points, 10 rebouds, 4 steals)
Stone cold moment: Low Meng Lek sinking the dagger three-pointer after being dared to shoot all night by the Westports Dragons.
Livestats:- https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/MABA/1123055/
Original Article Link:-
https://dllsports.com/mpl-d-league-game-day-13-recap/