Victoria JC thrash National JC 47-25 in A Division girls' basketball quarter-finals

Story by REDIntern Alan Chiang, Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, May 8, 2009 - Victoria Junior College won their third of three matches in the quarter-finals of the A Division Girls’ Basketball Championship when they thrashed National Junior College 47-25.

Victoria JC had already booked their place in the semi-finals prior to this match, and with this huge victory, they advanced as group winners.

VJC showcased their dominance right from the start as they led 8-4 after the first quarter. NJC began the second quarter with the luxury of possession, but they failed to make their chances count and Victoria JC managed to extend their lead to five points.

But their lead was soon reduced to one point at 10-9 as Chan Wai Yi (NJC, #7) led her side with four successive points. With 3:44 remaining in the half, the VJC coach called for a time-out to sort their defence out. They then broke away with a 6-0 run to bring the lead back up to seven points by half-time, with a 16-9 scoreline.

After the restart, National JC had a 6-2 run led by Looi Hui Yi (NJC, #11) after she drilled four vital points with an additional two from Lauren Tan (NJC, #6). However, Victoria JC’s lead was further extended to 14 points when they ended the third quarter with a 11-0 run, with contributions from Melissa Low (#8), Chen Botin (#15), Kimberly Hor (#13) and Elaine Ong (#9).

National JC fought on in the final quarter as they made a 4-0 run to cut the lead to 10 points at 29-19, after Wai Yi's (NJC #7) superb solo effort. However, her attempt was futile as with 2:07 left, National JC trailed by 14 points. Matters got worse for National JC as Victoria JC extended their lead to 20 points after two quick 3-pointers from Sin Xin Ping (VJC #12) and Elaine (VJC #9).

It was a one-sided affair late on as Victoria JC's supremacy was too much for National JC to handle. Victoria JC secured top spot in the group with a 100 per cent record. On top of that, all their victories were by more than 20 points.

Victoria JC captain Elaine Ong (#9) said after the game, "Our team has been consistent as we are out to win."

On the hairdryer treatment from the coach, she said, "He has the rights to scold us as we are not playing to our standards."

Victoria JC will face Raffles Institution while group runners-up Temasek JC will square off with defending champions Hwa Chong Institution in the semi-finals.

Match statistics

Scores by quarter
1st Q: NJC 4 VJC 8
2nd Q: NJC 5 VJC 8
3rd Q: NJC 6 VJC 13
4th Q: NJC 10 VJC 16