All season long in everyone’s mind, the Jiangwan Division is not as competitively strong as the 2nd Medical Division . With the likes of Ron Burgundy, The Elites, and Speed Limit in 2nd Medical, it’s hard to disagree. But after the final buzzer sounded on Sunday, there was no doubt that the best two teams in the league, played in the SIBL finals. The Wreckin’ Crew, the well experienced team, and UES (a.k.a “You Yi Si” in Chinese pinyin), the new comer, both came from Jiangwan Division.
After a disappointing 2nd place finish last season, Wreckin’ Crew came to this season’s playoff looking to take what’s theirs. They came so determine, beating their opponents in the playoffs on an average of 21 points spread. Every player of the Crew was so focused in the final game that not even a crack in the microscope could get them out of focused. Every false whistle from the referee or taunts from UES fans, they didn’t show any ill effect, not even a nudge. Instead it was straight face, all business, through out the game, focus on conquering the SIBL Trophy. A sign of a well experienced team. 
Unlike Wreckin’ Crew, UES is a newcomer to SIBL. Who would have thought UES would be the second best team in a season full of many great teams, and many false hopes. Not until mid season when people started to respect UES. Just ask Triple S and Omron, after UES single handedly out run them in the regular season . However, UES’s road to the finals wasn’t as smooth sailing as Wreckin Crew. It took a buzzer beater shot in the quarter finals to over come the feisty Yummy Bagel team, and then, advancing to the semi-final where they grudge it out with Ron Burgundy to the end.
UES, without one of their star shooter, Freddy #1, also captain of UES, played like they have nothing to lose and everything to prove in the first half. Despite not having their captain, their shooting was phenomenal in the first half and even took a 3 point lead over the Crew at half time. Theo #23 started the game gunning, launching 3s from all over and finishing on fast breaks. Theo finished with a game high 21 points. There were no answers for Theo, but Rohan #3 of Wreckin’ Crew took it upon himself to play harder defense, frustrating Theo at every shot he took. Rohan, who finished with 19 points and 9 rebounds, followed with consecutive jumpers, and a few floor burns, to keep the game close. Also sparked by Marin #8 who came off the bench to score 6 consecutive points, mostly off rebound and sticky defense. Regardless of Marin’s heroic, Ryan #1, who finished with 5 assist, kept pushing UES run-and-gun offense many at the benefit of Theo and Cody,#40, who also finished with 16 points.
By second half, the experience of Crew showed why they are the team to beat this season. Wreckin’ Crew came out more aggressive and physical, “wrecking” everything that comes in front of them and quickly erasing the half time lead of UES. Wrecking Crew’s leading scorer, Antonio #6, lead the charge and finishing the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds. UES free throws were exceptional. They showed composure on the free throw line even against the loud Crew’s fans, whose cheering and jeering made the match much like an NCAA tournament atmosphere. The big man George, #21,from UES doing everything to stop the Crew’s momentum made an emphatic dunk as if to send a message to the raucous Crew fans. This however did little to extinguish the fire that had already ignited for the Crews. George finished with 17points and a game high 18 rebounds. Murat, who ensured that his teammates stayed focus, made two key threes to keep the Crew’s momentum high. UES showed early sign of fatigue in the second half, a result from playing against a stronger and bigger team. By mid second half, Wreckin’ Crew over powered UES in every aspect of the game, like they have all season long. Every time UES tries to make a run and take a step forward, Wreckin’ Crew immediately push UES two steps back. Wreckin’ Crew’s balance scoring attack includes Luke finishing the game with 18 points and Murat with 20 points and a game high 8 assist.
Despite UES’s mastery on the court, there was no answer for team Crew’s power. Wreckin’ Crew wins SIBL 2009 Champions!
Note: In the NBA, Bruce Bowens, Robert Horry, and Steve Kerr all have multiple championships but may not make the Basketball Hall of Fame. Rohan and Luke now have a number of Championship trophies in their career, obviously puts them in the elite group in ASAS-SIBL history. However, are they SIBL Hall of Fame bound?
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