Story by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck and Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports
Joshua Alas (#4) of Dunman drives against Li Ye (#13) of Chung Cheng. The Dunman forward finished with a triple-double of 21 points, 26 rebounds and 10 steals. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Anglican High School, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 — Joshua Alas’s (#4) statline of 21 points, 26 rebounds, 10 steals and three blocks was the highlight of the final of the East Zone B Division Basketball Championship.
The Dunman Secondary forward helped the defending champions maintain their reputation as East Zone’s best as they defeated Chung Cheng High (Main) 74–40 for their fourth consecutive title.
Dominick Soh (#6) helmed Chung Cheng’s offence in the opening quarter, as he scored eight of their 12 points. Soh (#6) shot 80 percent from beyond the arc and finished with a team-high 16 points.
Dunman, on the contrary, experienced a shooting slump as they could not convert several of their baskets, allowing the game to be tied at 12 apiece.
However, the tables were turned from the second quarter on, as the defending champions took over.
Despite their continued shooting woes, Dunman’s frontcourt of Alas (#4), Tan Yi Rong (#12) and Declan Goh (#15) combined for 19 offensive boards in the second quarter to allow a 21–4 run. Alas (#4) also had six steals in the frame, en route to a total of 10 in the game.
The story was no different in the second half, as Dunman forced several Chung Cheng turnovers and bolstered their lead through several fast break conversions.
Dunman also dominated the restricted area through Alas (#4) and Goh (#15), who finished with 18 and 8 offensive boards respectively. Goh (#15) finished with a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Chung Cheng enjoyed a stronger offensive output in the fourth quarter, through the plays of Soh (#6) and point guard Dave Ho (#7). Despite so, Dunman had an answer in Xu Teck Chong (#5), as he sparked a 12–0 run to close out the victory.
“Our fighting spirit and teamwork helped us put up a good fight against Dunman. They’re the most important factors in basketball,” said Chung Cheng captain, Sim Jia Ming (#5). “The team did well today and I’m proud of them.”
Alas (#4) said, “The win was good, but our performance failed to meet our coach’s expectations. Overall, we’re still happy because we’re four-time champions!”
On preparing for the upcoming national championship, the Dunman captain (#4) said, “Most of the teams in the East Zone put up a fight against us, and these let us warm up for the upcoming nationals. Some of the teams like Jurong and Unity are our biggest challengers for the upcoming nationals and we must overcome them to win the title.”
Score by Quarter
Dunman vs Chung Cheng High
1st quarter: 12–12
2nd quarter: 21–4 (33–16)
3rd quarter: 19–9 (52–25)
4th quarter: 22–15 (74–40)
Top scorers
Dunman
Joshua Alas (#4) – 21 points
Xu Teck Chong (#5) – 13 points
Declan Goh (#15) – 12 points
Chua Sheng Da (#11) – 10 points (1 x 3-pointer)
Chung Cheng High
Dominick Soh (#6) – 16 points (4 x 3-pointers)
Jarrett Yip (#9) – 8 points
Dunman Roster
Joshua Alas (#4), Xu Teck Chong (#5), Darren Ng (#6), Benedict Ong (#7), Cedric Lim (#8), Shukri (#9), Koh Jun Hao (#10), Chua Sheng Da (#11), Tan Yi Rong (#12), Gabriel Tan (#13), Raymond Chu (#14), Declan Goh (#15)
Chung Cheng High Roster
Elkan Sim (#4), Sim Jia Ming (#5), Dominick Soh (#6), Dave Ho (#7), Hermes Lim (#8), Jarrett Yip (#9), Chai Xiong Jun (#10), Nicky Ng (#11), Gan Qing Yang (#12), Li Ye (#13), Ryan Ng (#14), Gavin Ho (#15)
East Zone B Division Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
More photos next page
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