Story and pictures by REDintern Koh Yizhe

TP vs NUS

TP #8 Mitchell Folkoff had a great game for his team. (Photo 1 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)

Nanyang Technological University, Monday, January 19, 2009 – Temasek Polytechnic made it look easy after beating the National University of Singapore (NUS) 62-56 to reach the final of the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship.

This was a repeat of last season's final when TP also beat NUS to claim the IVP title.

The defending champions were looking to retain their title and they started well, taking a 20-17 lead into the second quarter.

That's when TP began to extend their lead with #5 Jacob Folkoff scoring the first point of the quarter. This was followed by #70 sinking a long three-pointer. Within four minutes, TP had stretched their lead to 11 points.

Not to be outplayed, NUS slowly cut TP's lead point by point thanks to some successful quick breaks. The team was also effective in deceiving TP players as they made the layups.

Towards the end of the quarter, TP turned up the intensity of the game as they fought for the last point, ending the half with a comfortable 10-point lead at 40-30.

NUS attempted their comeback at the beginning of the third quarter as they were quick to score the first points of the quarter. This was largely due to TP's passing going awfully off which interrupted their scoring spree.

However, it didn't take TP long to string a series of points together with Mitchell Folkoff and his brother Jacob being key contributors. #70 also provided a few three pointers to extend TP's lead to a massive 17 points and forced NUS to call for a timeout.

The timeout didn't do much to help, as TP ended the third quarter leading 58-42.

The final 10 minutes provided much of the same with the TP #3 dancing through NUS defence to score the first point. Within the first four minutes, the match seemed done and dusted with TP dominating play.

Although there was a late surge by NUS, cutting the deficit to three points in the last minute with a couple of three-pointers, there was no real pressure on the TP team as they ended the match 62-56 to secure their place in the final against the Nanyang Technological University.

TP vs NUS

Joshua Koh (NUS, #4) attempts a pass to teammate #8 while being harrassed by TP players. (Photo 2 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)

TP vs NUS

An NUS player sits frustrated after all call didn’t go his way. (Photo 3 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)

TP vs NUS

Mitchell Folkoff taking on NUS #4. (Photo 4 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)

TP vs NUS

Role reversal as #4 now takes him on (Photo 5 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)