34th HKSBP in SMS Kota Tinggi

The Cagers were grouped together with last year's 2 semifinalists and one of the tournament's favorite. No complaints from us because we know as in previous PHT tournaments, the Cagers will ALWAYS get the short end of the stick. They will always put us at the furthest end of the dormitories with the worst facilities (non working lights and fans). Every year, the Cagers will always raise to the occasions and proved it will take more than take to bring us down. This year, the Cagers have proven beyond doubt that they are simply the best in SBP basketball! Read on...

MC Cagers vs. SMS Kuching

27^th of May 2007, 9.30 am

The Cagers started slowly, offensively, in the first quarter. They only managed to score 25 points at the half time, but they managed to hold SMS Kuching to only 12 points. The Cagers exploded, offensively, in the third quarter by scoring 27 points and allowed SMS Kuching to score only 3 points. The second five took over in the fourth quarter. The Cagers won the game 61 – 27.

All in all, the Cagers played below their own standard in this opening game and showed apparent signs of nervousness. The scoring was well spread, with Justin leading the score with 12.

MC Cagers vs. SMS Machang

28^th of May 2007, 8.00 am

The Cagers started well by scoring 27 points in the first quarter, while holding SMS Machang (last year’s finalist) to only 6 points. The offensive prowess continued in the second quarter with the Cagers leading 48 – 19 at the half. The second five took over in the second half. The Cagers won 86 – 35, the biggest winning margin in the tournament!

The Cagers did well by hitting 9 3-pointers. Syahmi led the scoring with 25 points, making 5 3-pointers.

MC Cagers vs. SDAR

28^th of May 2007, 4.30 pm

SDAR was one of the favorites to enter the final. The Cagers struggled against the bigger SDAR players in the first quarter. SDAR used the man-to-man marking on Em, Miki and Rahmat. It failed miserably when Ammar and Justin began hitting their shots. After a pep talk by the coach, the Cagers began playing with confidence. They used their quickness and better stamina to negate the difference in size. Justin began showing his true ability when the SDAR players slowed down in the third quarter. The Cagers pulled away in the third quarter and led by 30 points. Mr. Liew decided to rest the main players and put in the juniors to play in the fourth quarter. The juniors couldn’t contain the SDAR players and began committing too many fouls. SDAR took advantage of the free throw given (20 points) and managed to narrow the score. Cagers won 91 – 79. Justin led the scorers with 23 points, followed by Miki with 22 points. The Cagers committed 23 fouls with Mokri fouled out of the game.

MC Cagers vs. RMC

29^th of May 2007, 8.00 am

This was the last game of the pre - round for the Cagers. RMC had to play SDAR in the evening. The Cagers started off sluggishly. The previous game against SDAR seemed to take its toll on the Cagers. The Cagers played too casually against RMC. Luckily RMC couldn’t take advantage of the lapse in the Cagers. Miki, played very well, despite the man-to-man marking by RMC, scoring all his 26 points in the first half, he even outscored the whole RMC team in the half! The Cagers led 33 – 12 at half time. Mr. Liew took out the first five after the third quarter when the Cagers led 48 – 18. The juniors took over in the second half. RMC took advantage of the junior players and managed to make the score more respectable. The Cagers won 51 – 38. Miki led all scorers with 26 points. This is, by far, the worst game for the Cagers in the tournament.

Semifinal:

MC Cagers vs. SMS Dungun

30^th of May 2007, 8.00 am

The Cagers started cautiously against Dungun. They struggled offensively but managed to defend aggressively against Dungun. The Cagers led 29 – 26 at the half. In the second half the Cagers began hitting their shots. Mr. Liew took out the first five and let the juniors played in the fourth quarter. Cagers won 70 – 49. Miki and Em led the scorers with 19 points each. Em did an outstanding defensive job by shutting down SMS Dungun point guard and their best player while contributing offensively as well.

The Finals

MC Cagers vs. SMS Seremban (SASER)

31^st of May 2007, 9.30 am

SASER did Cagers a favor by eliminating SDAR in the semifinal. Even though overall, SASER players are taller, the Cagers are fitter and faster.

The game was over within 7 minutes in the first quarter when the Cagers led 28 – 3. Mr. Liew instructed the Cagers to play full-court press, denying the SASER guards getting the ball to their tall players. The game plan worked well when SASER taller players couldn't get the ball to trouble the Cagers effectively. Em and Rahmat continued harassing SASER guards. Em capitalized on the turnovers by the SASER players to score easy baskets. The second team took over in the second quarter and kept SASER at bay. At the end of the half, the score was 50 – 24. Most of the spectators left the court to see the Debates Semifinals.

The second half continued with the Cagers shooting very well. They made a total of 8 3-pointers in the game, Em and Rahmat contributed 3 each. The score was 75 – 37 at the end of the third quarter. HM was seen urging the Cagers to go for the century during the break.

The final score was 103 - 62; the Cagers emerged triumphant with a margin of 41 points, a record for the highest scoring in any final game of the tournament. It was the only 100 points game in the tournament. Em led with 29 points in scoring. The prize-giving ceremony was held subsequently, with Em being named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Special thanks to Mr. Liew, for his undying spirit and his gift of this 12^th PHT, Q4G Project coordinators and supporters, old boys who were there to cheer the Cagers; the college administrators themselves; Mr. Rauhi, the principal, teachers, the players themselves, present boys, supporters, and all those who were involved directly or indirectly.

Four years the Q4G project has been carried out, and four years we tasted victory. Records after records has been achieved and broken. This year the Cagers created history by becoming the first team to achieve 4 in a row (double back-to-back) championships and also breaking the highest scoring game in the finals (103 points).

Q4G continues.................