Story by Lim Yong Teck and Nicole Lum/Red Sports. Photos by Lee Jian Wei and Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Leon Kwek (#10) of Singapore drives against Laos. He led the home team with a game-high 18 points. (Photo 1 © Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Monday, April 27, 2015 — A balanced offensive effort led Singapore to an opening 113–21 victory in the 11th Southeast Asian Basketball (SEABA) Championship.
The podium finishers of the SEABA Championship will also qualify for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, which Singapore had not made an appearance at since 2001.
Leon Kwek (#10) led Singapore with 18 points, while Toh Qing Huang (#8) and Kelvin Lim (#22) added double-doubles. All three cagers are featuring in their first SEABA Championship. Siphandone Lothalath (#4) contributed a team-high seven points for the visitors.
Singapore had a fair offensive output, converting 49 percent of their field goals, while limiting Laos to just nine made field goals. The home team also had 21 total steals in the game, forcing their opponents to commit a total of 31 turnovers.
Despite a lacklustre offence in the opening quarter, Singapore managed to hold a 30–2 lead at the end of the opening quarter. The home team made up for it through their offensive rebounding, allowing for several second chance opportunities. Wu Qingde (#7) had four of the team’s eight offensive boards alone in the quarter, contributing to 10 second chance points.
Lothalath (#4) helmed the Laos offence in the second quarter, creating several opportunities with his drives. However, the undersized visitors had little chance against the Singaporean frontcourt, allowing the home team to pull away to a 50-point lead.
Toh (#8) and Kelvin (#22) provided a spark on the offensive end after the break. Toh’s four assists led to 10 points for the home team, while Lim added nine in the quarter to bolster their lead by an overwhelming 68 points.
Singapore’s offensive onslaught continued in the closing quarter, outscoring the visitors 30–6 in the frame. With under five minutes to play, off a backdoor cut, Lim’s (#22) layup helped Singapore past the 100-point mark, a rare feat for the local cagers. Kwek (#10) had a big fourth quarter, pouring in 12 of his 18 total points in the frame to propel Singapore to the 113–21 victory.
“The team did well defensively, creating opportunities for the three boys (Toh, Kwek and Lim) to add to the scoreboard,” said Singapore head coach Neo Beng Siang.
“Overall, it was a good game, but our younger players still have much to improve with regard to their performance on the defensive end,” added Neo.
On the upcoming games against regional powerhouses Indonesia, Philippines and causeway rivals, Malaysia, Neo said, “We have already done what we can during training sessions, but the team tends to have a slow start, so we need to make some adjustments during warm-ups, and hopefully, the players can be ready to play right from tip-off.”
In the earlier games, Malaysia and defending Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champions Philippines recorded their opening wins as well, defeating Brunei 81–43 and Indonesia 92–36 respectively.
Singapore will face Brunei in their next game, which will be held at the OCBC Arena tomorrow, April 28, 8 p.m.
Score by Quarter
Singapore vs Laos
1st quarter: 30–2
2nd quarter: 26–4 (56–6)
3rd quarter: 27–9 (83–15)
4th quarter: 30–6 (113–21)
Singapore Roster
Oh Wei Jie Desmond (#2), Wong Wei Long (#5), Wu Qingde (#7), Toh Qing Huang (#8), Kwek Wei Meng Leon (#10), Liew Hua Sen Larry (#11), Khaw Yeong Wooi (#13), Low Wenqiang, Russel (#15), Ng Hanbin (#17), Lim Hong Da, Kelvin (#22), Goh Kok Chiang Delvin (#23), Tan Chin Hong (#83)
Laos Roster
Siphandone Lothalath (#4), Thavatsay Phongphoumy (#5), Anouphab Sonenalad (#6), Phimmasone Phannolath (#7), Kimvanh Deebounhueang (#8), Khonesavanh Lattana (#9), Pha Akone Phommasone (#10), Sengsavanh Phengyalath (#11), Phouthong Labouaphieng (#12), Johnly Phanthady (#13), Vilasack Senekeo (#14), Chaleunphone Sounthala (#15)
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