Bandar Seri Begawan - Defending champions Suncity Dragons were brought down to earth by CESK L Mark Lakers in the biggest upset yet in the ongoing 3rd Shell Rimula Ultra Invitational Challenge Trophy 2003 Basketball Tournament at the National Indoor Stadium last night. The Lakers won 108-101.

High-flying Morante (No 9) with 32 points to his credit was in menacing firm and almost single-handedly destroyed the Dragons.

The Dragons hoping to continue their winning streak but were outplayed by a very determined Lakers team that had just lost to SYH Tigers the night before.

After the match, a dejected Suncity Dragons coach Elmer Reyes was so disappointed with his team's performance that he was lost for words.

In the first quarter both teams started off sluggishly but as the game went on, both teams were fighting tooth and nail for points with Suncity Dragons leading the CESK Lakers by only two points.

Suncity Dragons started to pull away in the second quarter capitalising on Lakers' sloppy passes and miscommunication among the players to lead 48-44.

At the start of the third quarter, the two imports of CESK Lakers, Bobby Park and Castro were on the bench due to injuries. However, it did not affect the team performance as they had a new hero in No. 9 Morante.

Suncity Dragons tried to hold on to their lead but found the going tough and with Morante in top form, Lakers were just piling up the points for the biggest upset win yet in the tournament.

The Dragons' task was make more difficult as their import player. Lonnie Thomas did not take to the court which might be one of the factors why the Dragons lost most of their offensive and defensive rebounds to CESK Lakers.

After the match, a jubilant CESK Lakers coach Macario Torres Jr. was full of praise for his players. "Although they lost to the Tigers the night before, they fought today like there was no tomorrow and added that without Bobby Park, the local players also played to his instructions especially Morante."

He also said both teams played offensively and defensively but at the end luck was on his side. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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