Recap
Game Recap
First Quarter
Both teams displayed aggressive offense in the opening quarter. SunShine’s #6 Cheung Tsz Ho and #17 Kwok Chun Hin stood out, combining for 14 points to give their team a slight edge, leading 14–13. Monarchs relied on #1 Iltaf Maaz Bin’s consistent scoring in the paint to keep the score tight.
Second Quarter
SunShine began to showcase their defensive prowess, forcing multiple turnovers from the Monarchs and effectively limiting their offense. Cheung Tsz Ho (#6) continued his strong performance, adding 3 more points through outside shooting and free throws. Monarchs’ #22 Bernard Dulnuan led a difficult chase, but their team’s shooting efficiency dropped significantly, scoring only 7 points in the quarter. SunShine extended their lead with a 12–7 run.
Third Quarter
The game became a back-and-forth battle in the third quarter. SunShine’s #6 maintained his hot hand, scoring 11 points and driving the team’s offensive rhythm. Monarchs managed to stay in the game through #2 Ali Ayan’s three-point shooting, but their overall accuracy remained low. The quarter ended with SunShine outscoring Monarchs 14–9.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter saw rising intensity as Monarchs strengthened their defense and relied on #1 Iltaf Maaz Bin and #22 Bernard Dulnuan’s relentless efforts in the paint to close the gap. However, SunShine’s #88 Lam Ka Lok proved clutch, converting all of his free throws to stabilize the game. Despite a 16–16 tie in the final quarter, SunShine secured a 56–45 victory and claimed the win.
SunShine Key Performers
- #6 Cheung Tsz Ho
Scored a game-high 24 points, including 5 two-pointers and 4 three-pointers, with a solid shooting efficiency. He frequently drew fouls with his drives, posing a constant offensive threat.
- #17 Kwok Chun Hin
Contributed 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds, with an 80% free-throw accuracy. He provided stability for the team in both the first and fourth quarters.
- #88 Lam Ka Lok
Scored 6 points, secured 4 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists. His clutch free throws in the final moments sealed the victory for SunShine.
Monarchs Key Performers
- #1 Iltaf Maaz Bin
Led the team with 13 points, along with a game-high 11 rebounds and 3 assists. He showcased an all-around performance on both ends of the court.
- #22 Bernard Dulnuan
Scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He was one of the team’s few reliable scoring options in the paint.
- #2 Ali Ayan
Tallied 10 points, including 2 three-pointers. As the team’s primary outside shooter, he hit several key shots in the third quarter.
Game Analysis
SunShine’s superior offensive efficiency and turnover control were the key factors in their victory. SunShine shot 43.8% on two-pointers, significantly better than Monarchs’ 34.0%, demonstrating more consistent offensive output. Additionally, SunShine recorded only 7 turnovers compared to Monarchs’ 13, effectively capitalizing on fast-break opportunities created by their opponent’s mistakes.
In rebounding, Monarchs dominated with a 45–33 advantage, thanks to #1 Iltaf Maaz Bin and #22 Bernard Dulnuan, who combined for 21 boards. However, Monarchs struggled with their outside shooting, finishing with a poor 13.3% three-point accuracy. SunShine, while not particularly strong from beyond the arc, still edged out Monarchs with an 18.2% three-point success rate. Their timely perimeter shooting helped break through defensive stalemates and extend their lead.
SunShine’s #6 Cheung Tsz Ho was the undisputed star of the game, tearing apart Monarchs’ defense with his versatile scoring, racking up 24 points. His performance not only served as the offensive backbone for SunShine but also shifted Monarchs’ defensive focus. #17 Kwok Chun Hin’s reliable free-throw shooting (80%) also bolstered the team’s advantage.
On the other hand, Monarchs relied heavily on their inside game, with #22 Bernard Dulnuan and #1 Iltaf Maaz Bin as their primary offensive engines. However, their lack of outside shooting and struggles with turnovers hampered their ability to stretch SunShine’s defense, leading to a stagnant offense.
Conclusion
SunShine’s balanced offensive efficiency and disciplined control over turnovers secured their victory. Monarchs, despite excelling in rebounding and interior scoring, were ultimately undone by poor perimeter shooting, subpar free-throw accuracy, and excessive turnovers.
Looking ahead, both teams need to address their weaknesses. SunShine should work on improving their three-point and free-throw shooting percentages, while Monarchs must develop better outside shooting and enhance their ball-handling to reduce turnovers. These adjustments will be critical for both teams to increase their competitiveness in future games.