By Ian Chew

Anglican High School, Friday, 3 July, 2009 – In the end, the quarter final hurdle proved too great for the gallant Singaporeans.

Having to negotiate past the skilful South Korean side just hours after a hard-fought victory over India, Jabez Su and company simply ran out of gas. It was a classic example of “the spirit being willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Team Singapore must have been surprised by the intensity of the South Korean side in the opening stages. Energetic and aggressive in defence, the Koreans constantly denied the host space to pass or receive the ball. On the other hand, the Koreans leapt to a 7-0 lead on the back of their famed accuracy in shooting jumpers.

Yet Singapore quickly overcame whatever frustrations they had when Jabez Su opened accounts with a 3-pointer. Consecutive baskets by centre Russel Low enabled Singapore to level the scores at 7-7.

That was as close as Singapore got to grabbing the lead in the first period though. The Koreans simply powered their way past the Singapore defense to lead 17-10 at the end of the first period.

Yet it was not all plain sailing for the Koreans in the second period.

Energised by the sellout home crowd support, Jabez and Russel scored two quick baskets to close the gap to 14-17.

However a turning point came when Jabez’s long range 3-point effort which would have tied the game was ruled out. Singapore’s coach Neo Nam Kheng immediately jumped to his feet in protest while the decision left the crowds bewildered. It was to prove vain as the referee stood firm in his decision.

Korea used the lucky break to extend their lead to 30-20 at the end of the second period. By now, the Singapore players frequently had their hands on their knees in exhuastion. Jabez even contrived to miss three crucial free throws in the quarter alone.

There was a sense of the inevitable in the final period, though Russel briefly gave the host team some hope with two baskets.

However, South Korean centre #6 who had a flawless game till then scored on a hook shot to give his team the 34-24 victory and a place in the semi final.

Jabez later explained the referee’s decision which turned the game.

“Russel had stepped on the line when receiving the inbound pass, thereby contravening one of the rules of fiba 33 which says that the player must be completely outside the 3-point line.”

“That was why my shot did not count.”

Yet Singapore coach Neo will also have to ponder long and hard over Singapore’s Fiba 33 squad for next year’s Youth Olympic Games, seeing that reserve centre Goh Kong Tat was left on the bench for the day’s matches against India and Korea.

Fatigue must surely have been a factor if players are called on to last the entire game of Fiba 33, which by all accounts, is proving to be an extremely exhaustive and intense game.

Nevertheless, the exploits of Team Singapore in this tournament is worth celebrating, seeing that they have qualified for the second round and given powerhouses China and South Korea a run for their money!

Scoring by periods:
1st Period: Singapore 10 South Korea 17
2nd Period: Singapore 10 South Korea 13
3rd Period: Singapore 4 South Korea 2

Scoring by players (Singapore):
Russel Low #5 – 14 points
Jabez Su #4 – 8 points
Larry Liew #11 – 2 points