The University College Basketball League (UCBL) came to a climatic close as INTI University College took on the team that was undefeated throughout the regular season, HELP University College, in the finals.

By Kelvin Goh Wong

To further complicate matters for INTI, their ace, Chris "The Machete" Kuete, who was also the top scorer for the KL Dragons in the Asean Basketball League last season, was forced to forgo this game due to personal reasons.

The absence of Chris was felt by the INTI team as they started the first quarter trailing HELP who controlled the tempo of game early in the first quarter, 7-0. INTI then mounted a comeback courtesy of a stingy defence and a spectacular offensive display by Chris' younger brother, Kevin "Little Machete" Kuete.

The turning point in the game came in the second quarter as INTI pulled away by 16-points, thanks to Lim Cheng Yen who exploded off the bench. INTI's defence continued to suffocate HELP's offence as HELP only managed to score 3-points in the second half.

The regular season's Most Valuable Player, Michael Ogheheme, who was a huge factor in HELP's undefeated run, failed to find his range in the finals as he missed most of his shots. It was made worst by INTI's defence successfully limiting HELP's scoring duo Ahmed TP and Belmar Mavhena.

In the second half however, HELP crept back to within one point as INTI took their foot off the pedal. A well utilised full-court pressure defence and good ball movement by HELP cracked down a complacent INTI defence.

INTI sensing the approaching danger quickly mounted an onslaught led by Kevin, slowing down the pace of the game and attacking the basket, drawing fouls and going to the free-throw line. At the final buzzer it was 56-51 with INTI emerging champions over the favourites.

Kevin Kuete was crowned the Most Valuable Player in the finals, a well deserved award as the team depended heavily on his offensive production to win.

In the third place match, it was a match between the previous champion Universiti Putera Malaysia (UPM) taking on the quickness and agility of University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).

UTAR utilised their deep roster, tiring out the UPM starters with a well applied full-court-press from the start of the game. With some efficient planning and cunning strategy by UTAR's coach coupled with a relentless defensive display, UTAR forced a tired UPM team to commit a lot of turnovers. UTAR took the game in blow-out, 86-69.

UCBL is planning to hold a nationwide 3-on-3 tournament as a lead-up to the start of the next season. In December the league will be heading down to Desa Amal Jirih with the coaching staff and players of UCBL teams to give back to the community.