EIS Lovers Season IX Matchday 3

Highest Rookies Attendance

As Season 9 started, this was the season with probably the most rookies registered. Rookies mostly come from Jolly factor and we EIS Lovers welcome you all.

Rookies for this season.

Team 2 Callum - Deadly rising star who dwells greatly beneath the basket.

Team 4 Cal - Veteran drafted straight from California. Pal of Jackrin. Currently short of match fitness but should prove a great asset as he get used to the humidity.

Team 4 John - Strong agile player. Friend of Wu with similar physical abilities.

Team 4 Saar - Brotherhood with Jolly & Dev. Agile SF who likes to score on open 3s.

Team 4 Michael - Friend of Jolly Factor. Demanding PG who continuously motivates his teammates through the match.

Matchday Report

Match 1 : Team 2 (15) 34 : 51 (25) Team 3

Team 2: Dennis 19 pts., Jay 6 pts.

Team 3: Dev 17 pts., Benz 7 pts.

It was a big match to watch as the winner of this game might be crowned the half-season champion. Team 2 started brightly as Pete hit the opening shot. Both team traded baskets as mid-way through the first half, Team 2 were leading 11-10. But as Team 3 use full roster rotation, Team 2 were starting to hit fatigue and were outscored 15-4 in the closing minutes with Dev recording 11 points in the first half.

As the 10 point deficit might weigh too heavy for team 2, Dennis’ teammate struggled to hit form and was lost for the second time of the season. Although Wolfgang was somehow out of gas for the whole match, excluding Dev who hit a season-high 17 points, his teammates each hit a couple of baskets to pull the game beyond hand.

Match 2 : Team 1 (20) 38 : 41 (29) Team 4

Team 1: Michael 12 pts., Eddie 8 pts.

Team 4: Wu 17 pts., Saar 13 pts.

Another interesting match as Team 1 hopes their victory today coupled with a great result in the other match might bring them to top spot pits against the improving Team 4 who doesn’t want to end the half-season with no victories.

Kato, snapped by Team 1 from Japan, made a surprise start and made Team 1 look stronger at the back. However as Team 4 finally gelling, Wu led his team both defensively and offensively as if the heights of Michael and Kato didn’t matter at all. Though the twin towers of Team 1 started brightly with both combining for 11 first half points, but the big general surprise was the form of Wu and Saar who combined well for 22 of 29 points.

With Team 1 shell-shocked by their 9-point deficit, Team 4 wasn’t able to capitalize on the event. With Michael hitting jumpers in his favorite 15 meter spot, midway through the second half Team 1 slashed the lead to 4 trailing 32-36. Both teams traded baskets as Team 1 led 38-34 with 4 minutes remaining. With Michael hitting another jumper for Team 1, Saar stepped up big and scored what was probably the most important 3 pointer of the game to pull his team to a 5 point lead.

With the lead slimmed, Team 4 tried to run down the shot clock and hang on to their lead. The strategy had back-fired as the referee hit Team 4 with 2 short clock violations. But with IN_FORM Eddie probably scoring more points than he missed, Team 1 was never going to catch up.

With 3 seconds ticking down the clock, Jai was fouled going for lay-up. Missing his first and most important free throw, Team 4 finally breathe a sigh of relief and finally recorded their first season win.

EIS Lovers Season IX Matchday 2

EIS Season High Player Attendance Record

Last week we recorded a season-high 28 players present at court. ESBN staffs were trying to organize each team with equal players and it was made possible just before the whistle of the second match.

If memory serves me right, the record was set on Season 8 when 30 players hit the court. Since the beginning of the league a couple of years ago, many records were broken. But most important of all, each season is always as entertaining as ever.

Matchday Report

Match 1 : Team 2 (31) 46 : 34 (7) Team 4
Team 2: Dennis 15 pts., Jay & Tor+ 12 pts.
Team 4: Wu 12 pts., Robin 7 pts.

After being beaten on matchday 1, Team 4 went on a shopping spree as Cal, John, and Hardeep were recruited to the line-up. Though with the changes, Team 4 couldn't gel not just that their offence didn't click, Dennis' penetration in the first half led the his team to a 24 point lead.

Second half was a different story as Team 2 rested their key players as Team 4 started to find their rhythm. Wu was completely exceptional as he both led defensively and caught fire hitting jumpers around and even behind the arc. The lead was finally slashed into single digits as Team 2 finally reinstalled their strongest line-up and was able to pull their first victory of the season.



Match 2 : Team 1 (17) 37 : 43 (20) Team 3
Team 1: Eddie 29 pts., Karun 6 pts.
Team 3: Joke, Tae+, Trin, & Wolfgang 8 pts.

With Benz missing, Team 3 had drafted Trin in his presence. The game was run in a slow tempo as Team 3 was unable to establish themselves in offense. Team 1 was the same story as the PGs fed Eddie hitting open jumpers around the court. Tight defense was what kept Team 3 in the game as they trailed 17-12 with 4 minutes remaining. But behind a tight defense, Team 3 finished the half with a 8-0 run with Joke grabbing three easy baskets.

Second half was the same story as Eddie leading the attack as usual. But with Team 3 forging a great team partnership as 4 players scored 8 points, and Dev hitting another 7 points, the scoring distribution was just too much for Team 1 to guard.

EIS Lovers Season IX Matchday 1

ESBN News Update

With teams being drafted by position this season, Team 4 are sweating due to Vikram's injury. At first team physio's are predicting his recovery to be around the playoffs. However, as the latest ESBN news coverage, Vikram has given an interview stating the injury was much worst than expecting and would probably miss season IX. In the meantime, he'll be hitting Yoga lessons if and possible he might make a surprise return late in the season.

Whilst Godfather PA+ Sumitr who has gone missing since season VIII and Boby who might return from the wilds are touted as possibilities to fill the void. However, other rumors are to send Benz of Team 3 to be a stand-in center.

Though what paths to be taken are yet unknown, ESBN believes Team 4 may need height and a possible trade or free transfer may be on the wings within the first leg of season IX.

Matchday Report

After a few delays to Season IX, it finally started and with some new faces incoming, it'll be another exciting season.

Here is the match reports:

Match 1 : Team 1 (36) 54 : 49 (25) Team 2

Team 1: Eddie 26 pts., Michael 16 pts.

Team 2: Dennis 21 pts., Jay 16 pts.

Upon hearing news of the upcoming season, veteran Plai came back to rejoin his comrade Jai in hopes of regaining the Tournament title as they once did in seasons 1-3. With James missing the starting line-up today, Team 1 made use of good passing skills to find an open man and hit easy jumpers as Eddie and Michael led the way.

In the other hand, Team 2 missing big Godfather Sumitr countered with another plan as Dennis led the chickens out of the house and Jay hitting shots around the arc.

After trailing by 25-36, Team 2 went on a scoring streak of 15-6 run pulling them within 2 points of Team 1. Team 1 were heading to the tunnel, just that when they changed to a 3 PG game plan with Jai, Plai, and Karun, the trio held the team together and with the hot hands of Eddie and Michael, Team 1 survived to a 54-49 victory.

Match 2 : Team 3 (33) 68 : 41 (16) Team 4

Team 3: Wolfgang 22 pts., Benz 12 pts.

Team 4: Wu 15 pts., Saar & Robin 10 pts.

As Team 4 entered the game with Vikram injured, Team 3 took advantage as the heights and aerial ability of Wolfgang and Benz stole the show below the basket.

Hopes of Team 3 rely mainly on Wu and he did not let his team down as he scored a season high 15 points though with such a positional disadvantage, it was hard to overcome the hurdle.