BASKETBALL
Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games 2007
Interview and pictures by Leslie Tan. © Red Sports/soulbreath pictures
Joshua Koh of the National University of Singapore is part of the team that came from behind to beat Nanyang Polytechnic in the semi-final of the IVP basketball championship earlier in the week. After a day of classes, Joshua gave Red Sports this interview before the final against Temasek Polytechnic tonight.
Joshua Koh of NUS. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
Red Sports: What were you thinking at the start of the fourth quarter when you guys were trailing by 16 points? What was the feeling of the squad regarding the deficit?
Joshua: At the beginning of the 4th quarter, we knew that we had out backs against the wall; the only thing on our mind was a win.
Red Sports: What did your coach Jim Goode say to you guys to spark the comeback?
Joshua: Coach gave the team a chance to prove ourselves, to display the mental toughness and aggression to come back from behind. Coach then gave Bandar the choice of who he wanted to play the 4th quarter. He has never done this before and i think the players he chose were inspired by each other and more importantly believed in the team as a whole.
Red Sports: Were you shocked when coach gave Bandar the option to pick the team?
Joshua: Not particularly. Anything it takes to win : )
“Yes, I want FIVE!” Coach Jim Goode indicates with his hand that he wants to replace all five players on court at one go, a substitution policy that has become his trademark in the IVP Games. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
Red Sports: As you guys started hauling NYP back, were you wondering, “What’s happening with NYP?”
Joshua: Nope, we were only concentrated on cutting their lead.
Red Sports: You guys are unbeaten. How long have you all been training together to get yourselves up to this level of competitiveness?
Joshua: We've been training for about 3 times a week since the academic year began (August). But our preparation towards the IVP started much earlier, sometime in the summer holidays.
Red Sports: What do you guys think of TP ahead of tomorrow’s final? Will playing at TP be a huge psychological disadvantage?
Joshua: TP is the reigning champion and they're unbeaten in this IVP. Playing at TP is a new environment for most of us but nothing else changes; we will be playing the same game we've played all along.
Red Sports: What positions do you play for NUS?
Joshua: I play both the 3 (small forward) and 4 (power forward) position.
Red Sports: Have you played bball for school all these years? If so, can you tell us what schools they were?
Joshua: I've played basketball since primary school. Not your traditional basketball powerhouse though – ACS (Barker Road), ACS (I) and ACJC.
Red Sports: What are you reading at NUS?
Joshua: I read law at NUS, year 2.
The much-anticipated final will be played in Temasek Polytechnic at 8.15pm on Friday 19 October 07.
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