SAMURAI conclude 2008 with a victory over Explorers and win O4 series

Chi Chiu Au scored a series-high 18 points and lead SAMURAI to a 38:26 victory over the once promising but short-handed G.T. Explorers. After losing the series debut, SAMURAI win three straight and become the winner of the O4 series.

James Kwan boosted his team by a 3-point play to start the game. Jack Chiu made an layup to cap an 10-2 run as they looked dominant.  New Explorer Kim Chou, who made the only basket for the team at that time, then hit two straight three-pointers but James scored three more points from the line and SAMURAI took a 13-8 lead at the end of the first period.

Explorers, who has only six players available for the game, got their first foul shot in the second period and were 4-8 at the line as a team. Jackie Lai’s three-piont shot was the last goal by his team as they extended the lead to 21-14.

Thomas Lau scored two and Kim added a free throw to cut the lead at 17-21 before Chiu answered with five points including one trey to re-gain a 9-point lead. Explorers were down by 9 points entering the final period with Chris Poon already had four fouls.

SAMURAI still led 34-26 after Eddie Sze hit from deep but no other Explorers can score after that. SAMURAI went on to win 38-26 and conluded 2008 with a victory in the O4 series.

Kim, one of the new faces from Explorers this season, led team by 12 points, another new teammate Kit Cheng added 9 boards and 5 points but committed 7 turnovers. Thomas Lau added 5, Chris Poon scored one point and was fouled out. Vincent Wong, who was a last-minute roster addition and was battling sickness, was scoreless with two turnovers.

James Kwan scored 8 points and was 4-5 at the line. Despite five turnovers, Mark, their first-time teammate, added 5 points, one steal and blocked a shot. Jackie Lai had three points but missed all other two-point field goals and is the only player in the game who attempted at the line without making one. Eric Ngai grabbed a team-high seven boards but scored only two points.

Eddie Sze is the only original from Explorers in this game. Eric Leung, Jack Chiu, James Kwan, Jackie Lai and William Wong are representatives from SAMURAI, the other five SAMURAIs joined the team in different seasons including Mark and Eric Ngai who will be in SAMURAI uniform in an SBL games only in the coming season.