Contributed by Peh Seow Ling.

t-net basketball futsal final

The basketball final between Bukit Merah and Geylang West. (Photo 1 © Peh Seow Ling)

Choa Chu Kang Sports Complex, Sunday, 26 October, 2008 – The buzz around Choa Chu Kang Sports Complex was not caused by any thunderstorm. Rather, it came from the excitement generated from the T-Net Club League Finale 2008. Bukit Merah won the basketball championship while MacPherson took the futsal championship title.

Eight clubs from all over Singapore had competed weekly over a period of three months in the T-Net Club Basketball League and T-Net Club Premier League, and the dual discipline finale held on this day did not disappoint the crowd.

There were no surprises for fans in the T-Net Club Basketball League with the title being captured by the favorite, Bukit Merah, who overwhelmed Geylang West 76-43. Led by the league's Most Valuable Player, Gerald Toh, aged 16, Bukit Merah relentlessly pounded the weaker Geylang West team inside the court, overpowering them easily.

Bukit Merah finished the tournament as the only unbeaten team. Their polished shooting and crisp passing captured fans' imagination as they dominated every game with ease throughout the tournament.

In the Bronze medal match, Ang Mo Kio held off a late run from MacPherson to win 57-32. Overcoming a dominant MacPherson crowd, Ang Mo Kio held their nerves to suppress several surges from MacPherson. In the end, their stellar defence won the game, as MacPherson struggled to make their shots late in the game.

Over at the futsal court, MacPherson retained their league title in a dramatic finale. Trailing by a single point to Bukit Merah, MacPherson finished strongly on the final day of competition. Buoyed by the return of last season's Golden Boot winner, Muhd Fairuz, aged 16, from injury, they played with panache and confidence to beat both Ang Mo Kio and Geylang West in their final two games to achieve maximum points.

Bukit Merah, on the other hand, was unfortunate to lose the title despite their recent unbeaten run. They were held to a 1-1 draw by the league's most unpredictable team, Bedok. Commanded by Muhd Raihan, aged 16, at the back and led by this season's Golden Boot winner, Muhd Khairulnizam, aged 16, Bedok took an early lead before Bukit Merah managed to equalize late in the second half.

Despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at their opponents; it was Bukit Merah who was fortunate to leave with a point as Muhd Khairulnizam somehow managed to scuff an open goal late in the game. After the draw, Bukit Merah's final game against Marine Parade did not matter as MacPherson had already clinched the 6 points they needed.

In the season finale All Star Match, former National player, Yahya Madon, led the All Stars to a 7-4 win over the league's Champions, MacPherson.

The People's Association T-Net Club will be organising the Premier League and Basketball League on a yearly basis to engage its members and to further develop their skills in these sports in its effort to continue to enrich the lives of teens while developing them to their fullest potential throughout their teenage years in Singapore.

t-net basketball futsal final

The players’ march in before the start of the two finals. (Photo 2 © Peh Seow Ling)

t-net basketball futsal final

The basketball champion – Bukit Merah. (Photo 31 © Peh Seow Ling)

t-net basketball futsal final

The futsal final. (Photo 4 © Peh Seow Ling)

t-net basketball futsal final

The futsal champion – MacPherson. (Photo 5 © Peh Seow Ling)