Lin Yih Song shares a laugh with his Telok Blangah teammate Lim Cheng Chuan after the match. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
United World College, Sunday, May 20, 2012 — West Coast CSC beat Telok Blangah Team 2 44-42 in a heart-stopping finish at the Community Games basketball tournament. The competitive spirit on court though, was also matched by a community spirit off it.
“We all live in the area and played together in the inter-constituency games,” said Lin Yih Song, 23, the captain of Telok Blangah Team 2.
“We play at our Community Club (CC) at Telok Blangah Drive about three times a week. When we play, it’s half court. I’ve been playing with these guys since secondary school, about eight years,” said Yih Song.
Suiting up for Telok Blangah 2 was Joven Porcal, 33, a Filipino expatriate who moved into the Telok Blangah area in 2011.
“I went to the CC on my own to join in pick up games and was asked to play for the team,” said Joven who hails from Ilo Ilo in the Philippines.
“I came to Singapore seven years ago and have played in lots of tournaments here. The crowd here today is as noisy as home,” said the engineer who works on Jurong Island.
There was also a similar story of friendship and community among their opponents on the day, West Coast CSC.
“We know each other playing on the open court at Block 44, Teban Gardens,” said Chriscendo Soh, 20, the captain of West Coast CSC. “We all live in the area and we’ve known each other about six years.”
“Since we have played so long together, I thought we could go and play in the Community Games,” said Chriscendo who used to play for Fuhua Secondary and Nanyang Polytechnic.
“Some of us come from Pandan Gardens, some from Teban Gardens,” said Chriscendo’s teammate, Oliver Teh, 23.
“I’ve been playing with Bee Tiong for more than 10 years,” said Oliver, pointing out his teammate and centre. “I’ve known him since Primary 6.”
“I come here to sweat it out and have fun playing together as a team,” added Oliver.
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