Story by REDintern Dylan Chua. Photos by Rebekah Abbott and Clara Yuan/Red Sports

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Koa Wei Quan (SIM #16) attempts to break through TP’s defence. Wei Quan had a game-high 23 points. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Monday, January 25, 2016 — Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) made nine three-pointers en route to capturing their fourth straight Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship title, defeating Temasek Polytechnic (TP) 78-54 in the final.

Koa Wei Quan (SIM #16) scored a game-high 23 points. Myron Lim (TP #3) finished with 18 points in the loss.

SIM won the opening tip and immediately ran a well-drilled offensive play to set up Wei Quan (SIM #16) for an easy two. Thereafter, Myron Lim (#3) handed TP its first, and only, lead of the game at 5-2, sinking a three-pointer with 7:45 still to play in the first.

On the ensuing possession, a well-worked baseline inbound play culminated in a four-point play by Adam Goh (SIM #9) that had SIM up 6-5. SIM never trailed from this point onward and led 16-11 after one.

With two minutes to go in the 2nd quarter, TP managed to cut SIM’s lead to two to make it a one possession game. Despite finding themselves in a tough position, SIM’s players never wavered and closed out the quarter with a 7-2 run, building a 32-25 lead at the half.

TP refused to back down, as Myron Lim (#3), Thng Jun Rong (#4) and Lim Fang Cie (#23) continued to make plays for their team in the 2nd half. Despite their efforts, SIM still held a 12-point, 52-40 lead heading into the final quarter.

Whenever TP threatened a comeback run, SIM had an answer.

TP never got to within striking distance and SIM would subsequently build a 20-point lead courtesy of a nice pick and roll play, setting up Wei Quan (SIM #16) for an easy two.

SIM saw the game out comfortably thereafter and landed their fourth straight IVP basketball Championship title.

With regard to his team’s performance in the final, Richard (SIM #7) commented, “I think both teams did well. Both teams picked up the game very late. In the 2nd half we played well on both defensive and offensive ends, helping us get an edge on our opponents.

The SIM player added, “Our big man did very well in the paint.”

Koh Jia Rong (#16) of TP said post-game, “We did ok in the 1st quarter. Their shots weren’t going in but we didn’t take advantage. Our shots couldn’t fall in the 2nd half but we tried our best today.”

Scoring By Quarter
TP vs SIM

1st Quarter: 11-15
2nd Quarter: 14-17 (25-32)
3rd Quarter: 15-22 (40-54)
4th Quarter: 14-24 (64-78)

Top Scorers
TP

Myron Lim (#3) – 18 points
Lim Fang Cie (#23) – 13 points
SIM
Koa Wei Quan (#16) – 23 points
Neo Li Zhe, Richard (#7) – 13 points

TP Roster
Chua Wei How (#1), Siew Siang Chong (#2), Myron Lim (#3), Thng Jun Rong (#4), Alister Tay Jun Yan (#5), Alan Seow Ying Zhong (#6), Daven Khaw (#10), Lim Rui Jie (#15), Koh Jia Rong (#16), Teo Zhen Kai, (#17), Tay Zhi Kang, Jonas (#19), Muhammad Naqib (#20), Catapia John Nicholas Taas (#21), Lim Fang Cie (#23), Toh Jing Jie (#32)

SIM Roster
Darren Lee Da Lun (#2), Zhou Zhen Jie (#3), Neo Li Zhe, Richard (#7), Goh Zhong Jun, Adam (#9), Siow Wei Chong (#10), Bryan Gregory Kor (#11), Koa Wei Quan (#16), Wong Kar Chuin Jason (#17), Ng Zhao Feng (#19), Ow Yu Jie (#21), Sih Yong Jie (#27), Brian Cai Jue Guang (#92)

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