Fighters gun for outright semis berth vs Mekongers

Sophara Chin

The Extra Joss Fighters are looking to win an outright semi-finals seat when they face the Yuetai Mekongers this weekend in the Cambodian Basketball League (CBL). The Fighters are currently atop the standings, with two weeks remaining before the elimination round of Cambodia's top basketball league concludes. The Fighters will play the Mekongers on Sunday at the National Training Center Gym in Phnom Penh. The game will start at 1pm. Tournament rules stipulate that the top two teams at the end of the elimination round will advance directly to the semi-finals. The next four teams will battle it out for the last two semis seats. The Fighters currently sport a 9-2 win-loss record. The ABA Dragons (8-3) are in second place, followed by the Mekongers (8-2). The Dragons and Fighters each have one elimination game remaining, while the Mekongers still have two games left. A win by the Fighters will send the team directly to the semi-finals. A lose could lead to a complicated situation that could likely be decided via point differential. The Mekongers are the slight favourites heading into Sunday. The Mekongers outlasted the Fighters, 74-66, during their first meeting in September. Also working on the Mekongers' favour is the fact that most of their players are young and aggressive. The team's run-and-gun game has earned the admiration of many basketball aficionados in the Kingdom. The Mekongers are expected to bank on the services of national players Sophara Chin (181-PG-98), William Reber and Ollie Morton. Shooting guard Nilo Candidato, point guard Jhoven Alapad and veterans Reyson Ballesteros and Ivan Musto are expected to carry the cudgels for the Fighters. Candidato, in particular, has been a consistent force on both ends of the floor. On offence, Candidato is not afraid to slash his way and attack the paint. He also got a good touch from the rainbow territory. Sander David, assistant coach of the Fighters, said they are expecting a 'tough' challenge from the Mekongers. 'Yuetai is an aggressive team consisting of young prospects and national team players. They train frequently in the gym we are using for CBL,' he noted. David said they need to focus on stopping the best players of the opposing team. 'Our opponents are young, fast and rely on moving the ball quickly. We need to get back fast in transition, rebound well and slow down their ball movement. Defence will be key to defeating them,' he stressed. The other games on Sunday will be a battle between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and AsianBallers (3pm) and Master Tapsi versus Beyond (5pm).
Courtesy of: khmertimeskh.com



Tags : SOPHARA CHIN, JUETAI MEKONGERS, CAMBODIAN BASKETBALL