Story and photos contributed by reader Melissa Tan.
Singapore Basketball Centre, Sunday, July 6, 2008 – Both teams geared up for what everyone deemed to be the final showdown. Without key player Lim Shengyu (Singapore Schools Red, #15), the game was going to be intensive and unpredictable from the very start. After four quarters and two overtimes, Minyi won by a mere one point. Their 91-90 victory put an end to the winning streak of Singapore Schools (Red).
Minyi took the lead right from the start, with accurate 3-pointers by Kok Wai (#6) and Edwin (#11), while Alfi (#7) was uncontested for the defensive rebounds. Alfi also proved to be an obstacle for the centres and players who tried to tunnel through him. At the end of the first quarter, Minyi led by 19-16.
In the second and third quarters, Singapore Schools (Red) managed to pull themselves together to lead by the largest margin of ten points, with unstoppable lay-ups by Calvin Chia (#4) and Poon Chonglin (#7). Steals by Colin Chou (#6) and Kan Wei Hong (#8) also helped with the scoring. However, the Red team was in serious foul trouble. Minyi then went on a 6-point streak to close the margin.
The first overtime was close with the score tied or Singapore Schools (Red) trailing by two points. With just 16 seconds left in the first overtime, Singapore Schools (Red) were down by three points at 81-84. Their coach Arthur Lim called for a time-out in a last minute attempt to spur his players on. The Singapore Schools (Red) players went back on court with a look of resilence. Colin Chou (Singapore Schools Red, #6) stood at the half court and passed to Calvin Chia (#4). Taking a deep breath, he sank in a 3-pointer, shocking the crowd, and tying the score once again.
into the 2nd overtime, both teams were even more determined to win the game. Ang Wei Xian (Singapore Schools Red, #13) and Koh Chee Siang (Singapore Schools Red, #14) made crucial rebounds, plucking the ball right out from Alfi’s (Minyi, #7) hands. The teams took turns
to score to add more points to their tally. Even with key players Calvin Chia (#4), Kan Wei Hong (#8), Ang Wei Xian (#13) fouling out, and Colin Chou (#6) cramping out of the game, Singapore Schools (Red) still did not give up. Instead, it spurred Chiam Hongyao (Singapore Schools Red, #5) to foul-in. However he was unable to convert it into a 3-point play.
With the team foul cones up, free throws mattered. In the midst of the tight game, jeering noises were made when Singapore Schools (Red) #14 was awarded free throws whilst the arena was silent when Kok Wai (Minyi, #6) attempted his.
With seven seconds left in the game, Singapore Schools trailed by just one point. The ball was passed to Koh Chee Siang (Singapore Schools Red, #14) who was right under the basket. He took a quick jump to put the ball in the basket, but alas! It simply would not go in. The last two seconds of the game was spent saw some hustling in midair, with Alfi (Minyi, #7) attempting to grab a rebound, and the Singapore Schools centres attempting to tap the ball in to clinch that last two points.
As the final whistle blew, the Minyi bench erupted with cries of joy whilst the Singapore Schools (Red) team retreated with a dejected look on their face. Final score: 91-90.
hahahahahaha, yeah, I’ll be going. You took a video the other time yes ? 🙂
heyy melissa,
i’m sorry, but if it’s possible please cover the game tmr! at this moment, i’m still trying to make time to go for it. there’s a high possibility that i won’t be able to make it.
so for all readers’ sake, despite their comments on your articles, please cover the game! thanks!
shaun.
that was a fantastic game (:
Hello Shaun, maybe you should cover this Sunday’s game 🙂
To Audience and Passerby:
Anyway, I don’t think I’m biased but I guess I focused (maybe unknowingly) on Singapore Schools Red 🙂 Well, it’s good you all pointed that out, will try to be more balanced next time. But thanks for balancing this report for me; by commenting and giving the Minyi players due credit for their exemplary play 🙂 (eg. to #6 and #10)
(Well, I commented on Alfi’s rebounds though!! :D)
Well, everyone has their favourites and I guess Singapore Schools happens to be mine! 😀
And to Diao:
(Even with that comment,) The fact still remains that Minyi won, so, congrats Minyi 🙂
#6 is kok wai while #11 is edwin minyi rox man
yes, i totally agree with ‘audience’ (: Should focus more on the Minyi players, esp #06 who was accurate with all his free throws.
overall both teams played very well, great game 😀
I welcome reports from all readers and they are entitled to focus on their favoured team.
a totally biased report, nothing much written bout minyi players performances even though they played exceptionally well that day and deserved the win.
too much emphasise on hwachong players i guess, minyi #10 and #6 played so much better than chonglin but he was not mentioned at all, yet chonglin’s name was mentioned so often.
i think previous report was a more balanced one.
just my point of view anyway, cheers!
hello melissa,
will you be covering the game this sunday?
because if you are, i will not. since, well, there’s no point providing news on the same game.
so let me know yeah? (:
shaun.
hahas…great game indeed