Eric Leung hit two three-point shots in overtime and scored 11 points, Chi Chiu Au added 14 points and four rebounds as SAMURAI handed the defending champion H.F.C. a 54-46 loss in the teams’ season opener.

Chi On Lau, who returned from cruiate ligament injury, tied the game at 33 and all before Nikko Kwok hit a basket for a two point lead with less than a minute left. Chi On Lau made another shot to tie it again at 35 and the game went to overtime as Colin Wong failed to make the final shot as the regular time expired. Two consecutive goal from deep by Eric Leung gave SAMURAI the first lead by six points and they never trail.

H.F.C. outscored SAMURAI 13-6 in the first period by five on ten shooting, despite only making half of the six foul shots.

Patrick Lai scored five of his eight points and helped SAMURAI to get within 20-22 before Nikko Kwok hit a free throw and two points from Tabo Chak as H.F.C. still got a five-point advantage into the half time break.

Both teams struggled in the third period when they each scored only six points. James Kwan made two baskets and matched already his personal best four points for the night. Jack Chiu, who was scoreless for his previous three appearance in the league, scored two points by putting back an offensive board. He has four of the kind and five boards overall. The two SAMRUAI capped a 6-2 run and get within 27-26 before H.F.C. re-gained the five-point cushion at the third period end.

After H.F.C. had only score two points by two free throws from Tabo Chak, SAMURAI get within two again at 31-33 behind free throws from Patrick Lai, Chi Chiu Au and Chi On Lau.

Nikko Kwok and Andy So both hit from deep for H.F.C. but was not enough to avoid a 11-19 overtime and a loss in the season Debut.

Tabo Chak scored 17 points on 7-18 shooting and is one-rebound shy of having a double-double. He also dished three times and had a steal. Ken Wong had nine points from the bench. Colin Wong and Nikko Kwok added six apiece but were combined for 1-8 at the line.

Chi On Lau had nine points, two boards, a dime and a steal.

The SAMURAI bench had a 23-12 point advantage.

The 100 points combined ranked second of all time just behind 102 points by SOUTHORN Tigers and G.T. Explorers in 2006 December. The 19 points in a single period by SAMURAI ranked the second of all time.