Story By REDintern Jiexin Neo. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Janice Tan (RP #33) drives against Tan Yen Yi (NUS #2). Janice led her team with 16 points. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
NTU Sports and Recreation Centre, Tuesday, January 28, 2014 — Republic Polytechnic (RP) survived a late comeback by National University of Singapore (NUS) to secure a 67–60 win, emerging third in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship.
Janice Tan Qian Ni (RP #33) tallied a game-high 16 points, while Chee Shi Ya (NUS #20) had a team-high 15 points.
RP took off with a momentous start, registering an 18–2 scoring run just five minutes into the game. Nurdhia Bte Senim (RP #10) started off well and drove to the basket at every opportunity. She also made several steals, putting up a commendable performance on both ends.
NUS made a couple of sloppy passes at the start, which were easily intercepted by their defenders. They came through offensively in the later part of the quarter, with Clara Chua (NUS #3) taking the lead to kick-start the offence. Alanna Lim (NUS #10) also stepped up her game following Clara’s lead, bringing down several offensive boards.
In the second quarter Alanna’s (#10) strong defensive presence triggered many fast breaks, helping NUS trim the lead steadily.
On the other hand, RP maintained their confidence levels despite losing Ilina (RP #39) to an injury early into the quarter. Tok Hui Min’s (RP #21) final shot at the buzzer made its mark, ending the first half with RP taking a huge lead at 44–19.
Clara (NUS #3) and Alanna (NUS #10) were the difference makers for NUS in the third quarter. Their aggressive play boosted the team’s morale, leading to better execution on both ends. Shi Ya (NUS #20) also stepped up her game, scoring seven points in the quarter.
RP’s defence significantly slackened in the quarter, enabling NUS to gradually catch up with the scoring. NUS managed to reduce the deficit to nine points (42–51) by the end of the quarter with an impressive 23–7 scoring run.
In the final quarter, NUS managed to whittle down RP’s lead to just four points, putting immense pressure on the RP. Hui Min (RP #21) was sterling in the quarter, as she rallied her teammates with excellent ball handling and movement. RP gradually began to pull away with Hui Min’s influence.
Towards the end, NUS tried to catch up but to no avail. A pair of free throws from Nurdhia (RP #10) eventually sealed the game at 67–60.
RP captain Olivia (#) said, “I think we played well in the first half. We were too complacent in the third quarter. But I think somehow we got back on track. On the whole, the team did well.”
Scoring by Quarter
RP vs NUS
1Q: 30–11
2Q: 14–8 (44–19)
3Q: 7–23 (51–42)
4Q: 16–18 (67–60)
Top Scorers
RP
Janice Tan Qian Ni (#33) – 16 points (3 x 3 pointer)
NUS
Chee Shi Ya (#20) – 15 points (2 x 3 pointer)
RP Roster
Yeap Sian Yee Kimberly (#4), Olivia Lee Jia Min (#7), Gao Min (#8), Ang Pei Xuan (#9), Nurdhia Bte Senim (#10), Samantha Chiam Pei Wen (#11), Tan Shu Xuan (#13), Vanessa Yam (#14), Yew Dan Ni (#17), Yvonne Toh Shu Yuan (#19), Tok Hui Min (#21), Denis Kristin V. Dagdagan (#24), Sheryl Tang Jia Huan (#27), Janice Tan Qian Ni (#33), Ilina Gan Wee Kuan (#39)
NUS Roster
Tan Xin Yi Vanessa (#1), Tan Yen Yi (#2), Chua Xing Fang Clara (#3), Tan Hsiang Yi (#4), Law Wei Ning (#5), Toh Sherlin (#6), Seah Kai Chyi Eva (#7), Wong Yun Ping Tammy (#9), Lim Rui Jia Alanna (#10), Ong Jia Min (#13), Tan Yi Lin (#14), Oon Zi Gui (#15), Nur Shuhadah Bte Mohamed A G (#17), Umi Amirah Bte Marzuki (#19), Chee Shi Ya (#20)
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