Game 29: Bangkok Cobras’ Strong Second Half Helps Them Snatch Win From Saigon Heat

 

 61:76

Sunday 19th February 2012, Tip off 3pm local time, Tan Binh Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Bangkok Cobras raised their intensity on defense and held Saigon Heat to only 5 field goals in the second half to beat  the Heat 76 to 61. Cobras’ Michael Earl led his team with 19 points. Gentry Lewis contributed with his double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

Saigon were motivated early as they jumped to a 12 to 2 lead early in the first quarter after a Jonathan Jones’ three point shot.  Jones finished the first half with 21 points and Heat were leading 40-36 over the Cobras going into the second half. 

Things changed drastically for Saigon after halftime. Cobras made a few adjustments and they held Saigon to just one field goal in the third quarter. Cobras’ shooter Ratdech Kruatiwa started the quarter by hitting back to back three point shots and Michael Earl added a shot to give the Cobras their first lead in the game at 44 to 42. Cobras pushed the lead to 11 points at the end of the third quarter after a basket from Darunpong Apiromvilaichai. 

Cobras’ had their biggest lead after Marvin Cruz made a shot with 4:14 left till the final buzzer to stretch the Cobras’ lead 69 to 43. Saigon’s guards John Smith hit back to back three point shots in the last two minutes but it wasn’t enough to cut their deficit down to less than 8 points.

Cobras’ played an excellent defense on Jones in the second half. Jones was limited to just 3 points and was able to manage only two shots after his hot start in the first half. Saigon did not get much contributions on offense from their new import Devon Sullivan who finished  only with 5 points and 9 rebounds. Sullivan and Saigon were also struggling from the free throw line managing to complete only 9 out of 24 attempts.

Cobras’ also added two new ASEAN imports in Ken Bono and Jai Reyes. Reyes had a decent debut with the Cobras by scoring 13 points off the bench while Bono was scoreless in his debut. Reyes could be the guy that the Cobras needed to give the team sparks off the bench.

Saigon: Jonathan Jones – 24pts, Noy Javier – 15pts, John Smith – 11pts, Minh Trieu – 6pts, Devon Sullivan – 5pts

Cobras: Michael Earl – 19pts, Gentry Lewis – 14pts, Jai Reyes – 13pts, Marvin Cruz – 12pts, Ratdech Kruatiwa – 10pts, Darunpong Apiromvilaichai – 4pts, Kaedum Chaiwat – 2pts, Danai Kongkum – 1pt, Chanachon Klahan – 1pt