By Clement Tan/Red Sports
Ong Yu Xiang (SIM #15) goes for a layup against Chan Jia Yuan (RP #27). SIM won their opening game 83-61. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Temasek Polytechnic, Wednesday, January 11, 2017 — Four-time defending men’s champion Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) showed their intent to extend their winning streak in the 2017 Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship.
Led by Richard Neo (#7) with a game-high 22 points, SIM started its title defence with an 83-61 victory over Republic Polytechnic (RP), the latter missing the presence of Leon Kwek (#10) who is currently playing for the Singapore Slingers in ASEAN Basketball League. Shaun Ang (RP #15) had a team-high 19 points.
In the other game played on the same day, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) flexed its title credentials, edging out last year’s beaten finalists and this year’s host Temasek Polytechnic 64-56. Jabez Su (NTU #3) had a game-high 17 points while Chua Wei How (TP #13) led his team with 12.
“We focused on our defence in the fourth quarter, looking to take advantage of our size,” said NTU captain Kan Wei Huat (#8), a second-year sports science undergraduate, after the game. “Our emotions were swayed, we were affected by some of the referee’s calls, so we had to focus.”
There was little separating NTU and TP most of the match, with both teams tied 48-48 at the end of the first three quarters, the lead changing hands several times over the course of the game.
But NTU’s greater experience eventually told, with centre Russel Low helping his team outscore TP 16-8 in the final quarter.
“I’m very happy with our performance even though we’ve lost,” said TP coach Andre Wong. “Only problem is how you control the game, especially these high intensity games. They changed the tempo of the game, made us rush into decisions because they know our players are younger.”
There were no such problems for SIM. After allowing RP to outscore them 21-20 in the first quarter, they overcame a sluggish start to eventually emerge comfortable winners over RP, even giving its younger players some game time in the final quarter.
“Our coach’s plan was to up the intensity after the initial period,” said SIM captain Richard Neo (#7). “Up to eight players out of our team of 15 just joined this year and we only trained two weeks before this competition, so we needed some time.”
On Friday, Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will open its campaign against NTU and National University of Singapore (NUS) will play RP.
SIM next face NUS Monday, while TP take on ITE. The top two in each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
NTU Roster
Jabez Su (#3), Toh Jian Sheng (#6), Pek Yong Kang (#7), Kan Wei Huat (#8), Kua Hiong Yong (#10), Ronald Yip Lang Jing (#11), Tan Zhi Sen (#14), Xavier Toh Hong Sheng (#17), Yew Zhi Heng (#19), Toh Jun Kiat (#20), Alvin Chun Wang Xuan (#23), Seah Chin Seng (#24), Justin Lim Yong Cheng (#26), Russel Low Wenqiang (#32), Tan Bo Yao (#33)
TP Roster
Myron Lim (#7), Chaw Ji Keong (#8), Koh Jia Rong (#10), Siew Siang Chong (#11), Chua Wei How (#13), Terry Lua (#17), Zhai Si Ming (#19), Alvin Hartono Ho (#22), Clement Sim (#95), Naqib Borhan (#99)
SIM Roster
Richard Neo Li Zhe (#7), Adam Goh Zhong Jun (#9), Bryan Gregory Kor Chong Yang (#11), Philbert Pang Jun Kai (#12), Scott James Driscoll (#14), Ong Yu Xiang (#15), Loh Yi Ren (#17), Ng Zhao Feng (#19), Ng Kian Hao (#26), Gary Yeo Jun Yuan (#27), Carlo (#34), Andy Ho Lian Jie (#37)
RP Roster
Daniel Poh Yong Xian (#5), Zoel Lee Heng Kiat (#7), Ling Yoke Ming (#8), Bryan Chua Wei Jie (#9), Hiew Zi Jie (#11), Andrew Tang Wei Jie (#13), Shaun Ang (#15), Tng Zhi Cai (#17), Marco Kok Jia Hao (#20), Chan Jia Yuan (#27), Zhen Yu Hui (#42), Andy Yeow Jun Hui (#95)
For SIM vs RP photos, click here
For NTU vs TP photos, click here
IVP Men’s Basketball Championship – fixtures and results
More photos next page
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