Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports and Ian Chew. Photos by Thomas Tan/Red Sports

YOG 3-on-3 Basketball (Boys)

Due to timely pressure from Singapore’s Russel Low, Israel’s Oleksander Chernuvych (#13) was denied a basket. (Photo 1 © Thomas Tan/Red Sports)

*Scape Youth Park, Tuesday, August 17, 2010 — Perhaps it was the back-to-back schedule of the Youth Olympic Games basketball competition, or the hot and humid weather.

Whatever the reason was, the Singapore basketball boys failed to replicate their heroic performance against Turkey the day before, where they had pushed their bigger-sized opponents all the way before eventually succumbing 24-28.

This time, they lost 14-27 to Israel. Captain Jabez Su and Russel Low only managed four points each while Tan Jun Wei and Larry Liew got three each as the Singapore team shot a poor 11% from the field.

It had all seemed so promising when Tan Jun Wei quickly levelled the scores after Israel’s opening basket with an aggressive driving layup. That brought cheers of “Singapore, Singapore” from the capacity crowd at the city venue gathered to support the host nation.

But it went downhill from there.

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Israel managed to reply almost immediately and proceeded to unsettle the host nation’s offensive rhythm with their aggressive defense. They soon found themselves leading 12-5 with Singapore finding it hard to penetrate Israel’s tight defense.

By the end of the first half, Singapore looked down and out with a 12-point deficit. Staring at such a huge deficit, it looked like Singapore would need a miracle to notch their first win of the tournament.

It was not Singapore’s day as they continued to fall behind as the Israelis stretched their lead to as many as 19 points in the second half. Rebounding was once again Singapore’s bane as their opponents grabbed 23 boards to their 10.

With less than a minute on a clock, Larry Liew gave Singaporeans something to cheer about with a three-pointer, only his second of the tournament, but it was way too late and Israel easily held on for the match.

“We didn’t play up to standard today,” analyzed Mr Khoo Hwa Pang, team manager of Singapore. “We had a low shooting percentage and they could have finish the match much earlier in the second half, but I guess they missed a few shots as well. Israel doesn’t give chances at all. When defending, they don’t even give you space to shoot.”

“It is already our third game so the boys are tired,” continued Mr Khoo Hwa Pang.

“Singapore are playing against players with a lot more experience,” said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. “Our boys are talented but they still have a lot of work to do like working on their fitness. But they never gave up today and that was the best part.”

“Of course I’m feeling very disappointed now,” said Larry Liew who only manage one three-pointer in the match. “Throughout the tournament I’ve not been playing up to my standard and I think it is just nerves. Today we were too harsh with the ball and made many turnovers. In terms of rebounds we also lost out.”

Larry, who makes three-pointers freely in local tournaments, said about the competition: “Their experience is so much more than the local players and their physical built is larger as well. We can’t compare it with the local level.”

“It was a poor team performance and we didn’t do our best,” said captain Jabez Su, who got four points but did not drive as much to the basket as he usually does. “Today just wasn’t my day. I think we lack confidence and aggressiveness and they had it. When we encounter someone more aggressive than us, we suffer. It’s hard to play at this high level of intensity everyday. It is really exhausting and challenging.”

To the fans he said, “We are sorry to disappoint you and not putting up a good show today, but we thank you for coming down and your support.”

Singapore will next play against the United States of America and Jabez commented on that: “It is a rare opportunity to play against the number one team in the world. We’ll definitely do our best against them.”

YOG 3-on-3 Basketball (Boys)

Jabez’s (#4) plan to get past Oleksander (#13) with a pass to teammate Russell Low (#5) faced interference from Israel guard Igor Mayor. (Photo 2 © Thomas Tan/Red Sports)

YOG 3-on-3 Basketball (Boys)

Singapore guard Larry Liew (#11) remains calm on the attack, even as he is kept away from the hoop on two sides. (Photo 3 © Thomas Tan/Red Sports)

YOG 3-on-3 Basketball (Boys)

Spotting a momentary chink in the Israeli defense, Jabez (#4) sprints right through to the hoop. (Photo 4 © Thomas Tan/Red Sports)

YOG 3-on-3 Basketball (Boys)

Larry Liew (#11) struggles to keep on the attack with the aggressive hounding from Sergey Zelikman (#7). (Photo 5 © Thomas Tan/Red Sports)

YOG 3-on-3 Basketball (Boys)

Russel is a picture of disappointment at full-time as Israel win it 27-14. (Photo 6 © Thomas Tan/Red Sports)

Team Singapore v Israel 1st Half:

Team Singapore v Israel 2nd Half:

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Greece v Serbia 2nd Half:

Spain v Philippines 1st Half:

Spain v Philippines 2nd Half: