“Jay” continue to contribute for the Explorers

G.T. Explorers made 15 of 20 free throws including 7 of them in the final period as they comeback to win against the SOUTHORN Tigers. They will face M.I.B., who beat SAMURAI earlier in the evening, when they advance in the second round.

The Explorers scored the first single point of the game, but the Tigers responded to finish the first period 11-3 and extend the lead to 20-11 at half-time by the well played second unit including “helping hands” Cherry Tsui and Dennis Chang.

When things look like the same again for the Explorers that they couldn’t have stable scoring, the Tigers were even worse. After a promising first half, SOUTHORN Tigers went stone cold in the third period and they had enough turnovers to allow a complete comeback by the Explorers. Scored only two points in the 3rd period from Benny Wong, the Tigers could only stay tied at 22 entering the final period.

Neither team could get away in the final period, until Cherry Tsui, who missed all her first eight attempts, hit a three-pointer to break the tie for a 31-28 lead with about one and a half minute left. But while consecutive techincal fouls on Patrick Tse took part in messing the Tigers’ composure, and an questionable offensive foul called on Dennis Chang, followed by two other fouls took him away from the action before time expire. G.T. Explorers capitalize the serveral free throws awarded, not only taking a lead but also to win the game.

The Explorers have lost last seven games in a row in S.B.L. after they defeated M.I.B. in 2006 June. The two teams will square off in the O4 second round on November 16 at Sheung Wan Sports Centre. While the winner will go to the Final, the loser in this match up will play against the winner between Tigers-SAMRURAI on Nov 30.

SOUTHORN Tigers has serveral players not available for the game, including Wilson Chow (leg injury, out indefinitely), Terence Chan (ankle), Ray Chan (personal), WIlliam Leung (personal), Ben Tsang (work), Edward Fong (out of town), thus the need of extra hands make it become an “assorted” team not only with the original Tigers Will Kam and Patrick Tse (both return from Trojans) but also Dennis Chang, who was not with the team at first and is likely to be a one-game player, and Cherry Tsui who joined to make up the roster.

The G.T. Explorers continue to have real rotation in the group and only 3 Explorers in this game — Aston Lie, Eddie Sze and Bryant Chan (return from Challengers) — have played in the first season of S.B.L. in 2006.