Three Tigers scored in double-figures and they handed Chung Sing second loss in a row. SOUTHORN Tigers used a one-point victory over Chung Sing to improve to 1-1 in the division this season and win both meetings against Chung Sing.

Benny Wong made a three-pointer to took a 7-5 lead in the first period before Dennis Chang made a basket near the rim to tie the game. Chi Wing Chow finished the period with another layup, scored six points in that span and Tigers lead 10-9 entering the second period. The Tigers’ centre was perfect 3 on 3 from the floor.

Chung Sing made a run to start the second period, Dennis Chang, Lok Ming Sin and Ka Hang Yip combined for the 6-0 spurt as they took a 15-10 lead before Tigers called time-out. Ray Chan made a running jumper and Benny hit another trey off an in-bound pass and a screen, just before Lok Ming Sin answered with a trey as Chung Sing still lead 18-15. After Ben Cheng scored his second basket as a Tiger, Elvin Tam and Lok Ming Sin gave another 5-0 run for Chung Sing for a 6-point advantage at 23-17, the biggest margin in the game.

But Chung Sing failed to score again before half-time, while the Tigers took control. Started by a free throw from Dennis Chan, Benny and Ben combined for the game’s next six points alternately and the 7-0 spurt brought Tigers back to a lead with 26-23 at half-time.

Benny had all his eleven points in the first half.

Ben Cheng contiunue to take advantage when guarded by smaller players from Chung Sing, who failed for times with their full-court press on Tigers. Ray Chan dribbled past defenders for times and dished twice to Ben Cheng for easy lay-ups as they break the full-court defense by these Young Guys.

Ben scored on his fifth straight attempt and put Tigers to a 32-25 lead in the third period, when Chung Sing only manged two points at that point.

Kwok Fu Chung helped to pull within 28-32 with a three-point shot before Ken Leung hit his first basket this season as Tigers still had a 34-28 advantage through three periods.

After Dennis Chang made a basket and Kwok Fu Chung made his second trey to cut it to 33-34, Chi Wing Chow and Dennis Chan scored and re-gain a three-point cushion at 38-35 mid-way through the period.

Everytime Chung pulled within one-point, they could not get a stop as Tigers always answered.

Lok Ming Sin was fouled and he split a pair of free throw as his team was still down at 40-42. Ray Chan score two of his six points with less than a minute before Lok Ming Sin pulled within one point a final time before the time expired.

Lok Ming Sin led all scorers by 17 points with 3 treys and 6-on-11 shooting, he added four boards, three dimes and six thefts. Chi Wing Chow, Ben Cheng and Benny Wong each scored in double figures and combined for 33 points for Tigers.

Dennis Chan was called for a technical foul in the second period after he passed the ball to Ben who made the ensuing basket. Dennis screamed loud as he thought the defender is fouling him, but got a technical himself by the officials instead. Chung Sing missed both technical free-throws.

Chi Ho Yu was called for an unsportsman-like foul in the final period. Chi Wing Chow was pulled to the floor while attempting for a layup. He missed both free-throws. Chi Wing Chow scored in double-digit the first time. The centre avearged less than one point in the past two seasons. He was one rebound shy for a double-double.

Former Tiger Dennis Chang did not start. He added 8 and 7.

Ben Cheng tied his own record (12 points) with a perfect 6-on-6 shooting. It has been a long time when he scored that many when M.I.B. lost to SAMURAI in the 3rd-place game in the debut season of the League.

Benny took part in the HK marathon in the morning at a 10KM event, finished 59 minutes and strained his right foot. SAMURAI guard Jackie Lai was another participant, who finished 58. Cindy Lee, who attended the game but did not dress, finished 2:16 for the half-marathon event.

Terence Chan, Tigers’ leading scorer, did not play.