Thailand draws first blood in basketball at ASEAN Schools Games

A Thai girl tries to pass the ball through close marking by a Malaysian rival in their basketball match in the ASEAN School Games in Đà Nẵng City. Thailand beat Malaysia 65-60. Photo courtesy of Lê Lâm

ĐÀ NẴNG — Thailand’s girls basketball team beat Malaysia 65-60 in the curtain-raiser of five-a-side basketball in the 13th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) at the Đà Nẵng University Sports Centre on May 31.

Thai school girls took the lead from the first few minutes, scoring 14 against nine, but Malaysian opponents pulled back to balance the match after a time-out in the first quarter.

Thailand then showed off their power to clear 15 points with a series of three-point throws, blocking all counter-attacks from Malaysia and keeping their momentum with a 54-44 score in the third quarter.

Vietnamese supporters promote a basketball event in the ASEAN School Games in Đà Nẵng City. More than 1,300 students from 10 ASEAN countries are competing in six sports at the games through June 7. Photo courtesy of Lê Lâm

Malaysia regrouped to score nine points in a row, narrowing the gap to 54-53 and setting the two teams up for a fierce fight in the fourth quarter, eventually drawing even and even pulling ahead by one point.

However, Thailand's team worked together and earned four crucial points to fix the first 65-60 win in basketball.

Meanwhile for the boys' teams, the Philippines took a 78-62 win over Thailand, while Indonesia crushed Laos 128-45.

Malaysian boys supports their girls' basketball team at the ASEAN School Games in Đà Nẵng City on May 31. Photo courtesy of Lê Lâm Trần

Basketball will continue at the same venue, while badminton, swimming and Vovinam will be organised at the Tiên Sơn Sports Complex.

Athletics will take place at the Hoà Xuân Stadium and Pencak Silat matches will be held at the Sơn Trà district’s sport centre.

All teams will gather for the opening ceremony at Tiên Sơn Sports Centre at 8pm on June 1.

The games will continue through June 7.