Blowout as NTU beat NYP to grab third place

BASKETBALL

Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games 2007
Nanyang Technological University vs Nanyang Polytechnic
Friday, 19 October 2007 at Temasek Polytechnic

Story by Red Sports reader Ian Chew. Pictures by Red Sports reader Azrefa Aziz.

Sorely missing their inspirational playmaker Wong Wei Long, the Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) team could not cope with the well-oiled National Technological University (NTU) offense as they went down 84-62 in a third and fourth placing match played at Temasek Polytechnic on Friday 19 October. Wei Long had earlier joined the national basketball team for a training tour in Penang and had to miss the match as a result.

Tnee Hanxiu (#1, NTU) shoots over Vincent Aw (#73, NYP). © Azrefa Aziz

Sharing this sentiment was Daryl Ong (#96, NTU).

"The NYP team clearly missed Wei Long's presence on court, especially his ability to organize the offence and draw defenders towards himself so that he could pass the ball to his open teammates. It was much easier playing them as a result."

NTU started the game with purpose and lead 23-14 after the first quarter. They continued to pull ahead in the second and third quarter leading by 48-25 at the half and 74-42 by the end of the third. A mini rally by NYP in the fourth quarter failed to change the result as NTU emerged with a comfortable 84-62 win over NYP.

#21 of NTU with a jumper while an NYP player defends (if you know the names, please leave them in the comments section). © Azrefa Aziz

Zhang Hao (#3, NTU) led all scores with 16 points while teammate Raymond (#14, NTU) contributed 14 points, including an amazing four three-pointers in the second quarter. Tay Zewei (#79, NYP) led his team with 10 points.

Despite the loss, Coach Kwang Fu of the NYP was satisfied with the overall performance of the team.

"To reach the top four position is already a big achievement, considering that we were up against strong competition from the other schools. That said, however, we do have talented basketball players in our school as well. In order to achieve better results in future, my team has to step up their training intensity."

The NTU bball team. From left to right, back row: … If you know the names, please leave them in the comments section. © Azrefa Aziz

The game missed the intensity of the earlier semi-final matches where NTU was edged out by TP in the final seconds and NYP lost the semi final to NUS despite leading 16 points at the end of the third quarter.

Zhang Hao summed it up best when he said somewhat wistfully,

"I'd rather we be playing in the final!"