Final Score
Hanguk U21 91 - 88 Prathet Thai U21
What can I say? A win is a win. And I think this win is important to us, firstly to start us off in the right direction, and secondly, against this tough group, where no team will give us an easy win, it's good to know we can hang tough. They came at us strong on the inside, with Jae-Ho Park
(34707133) lasting only a meager 15 minutes before fouling out on defense, but the rest of the team picked up the slack and kept it together, holding down their inside offense. Keep in mind, this is the same Thailand team that had a decent fairly competitive game against a stacked New Zealand U21 team. Also speaks volume in terms of how important it is to have players on the bench ready to step up. So please everybody!!! Help keep your players' game shape up, 48-72 minutes per week, because I can certainly use a deeper bench. I'm looking at you Seoul Sacrum Tigers
(40626) with Min-Koo Kim
(35556590). I can really use his help. ;-)
Close quarters all around, but our timely rebounds definitely helped keep us in the game. We're not known to be great passing team, but look at us move that ball around!! Good job everybody!
So let's just get right to it. Three stars for today's game
* Sung-Ryong Kim
(36376188) - despite being a rookie, and me having doubts about adding him to the roster, he stepped up huge in playing the full game, contributing in all departments 10 pts, 8 rebounds, 9 assists. Way to step up on the big stage! We're looking forward to watching you grow and shine.
** Sang-Chul Jung
(35556561) - having just relocated in the off-season, he continues is training in foreign grounds but still delivers when needed. Stepping up at C for Jae-Ho Park, who fouled out early, held down on defense and contributed some points on the inside 14 pts, 9 rebounds
*** Mul-Jib Lee
(36376231) - could have easily been the first star of the game, and not to take anything away from Lee, all 3 players should be first star, because they were all vital in the win. But landed at 3rd star only because that's how much is expected from you. 5-22 shooting against a superior opposing player guarding him, 14 pts, 10 rebounds, 5 assists. But the KEY factor was his clutch 4-8 free throw shooting towards late in the game that sealed the deal. Each of those shots were a nail-biter. Keep up the good work!
honorable mentions to our fearless Co-Captain Kyu-Hook Cho
(34707101) who sank in a bulk of our points. He doesn't care as much about the recognition as he does about getting the win. That's what leaders are made of. Teamwork and his teammates are all he needs.
On to next week's opponent now. Vietnam U21, with the help of a new manager from France, has come in with a new stacked lineup. They defeated New Zealand U21 this week, which certainly puts them on notice. I think it'll be a tough game, and it would really help if those of you with U21 players provide me with some good game shapes. I hope to keep things close once again. Until next week... Cheers!
On a side note...
Final Score
Hanguk NT 88 - 74 Bahamas NT
winning on the road! Leading us to a 2-0 start in the consolation tournament. And with the release of the remainder of the consolation tournament schedule. I'm excited!!! our roster is definitely not as strong as the rest, but Perpete is doing his all to make it work. Everybody stay tuned to our NT, because I feel this is going to be an exciting season! Good luck Perpete, make us proud!
=)