By Clement Tan/Red Sports
Gary Yeo (SIM #27) takes a shot against TP. He had a game-high 18 points. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Temasek Polytechnic, Wednesday, January 18, 2017 — Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) are one win away from their fifth-straight Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Men’s Basketball Championship, with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) standing in their way.
NTU edged out NUS 47-25 in an usually low-scoring first men’s semi-final.
The men’s second semi between Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and four-time defending champions SIM was easily the pick of the four matches played Wednesday evening. SIM were down by as many as 10 points in the second quarter, before clawing their way back to eventually win 68-62.
“It was a slow start, like in our first game,” said SIM men’s team coach, Val Leong. “Because of our experience, the players are more flexible. Defense-wise, we decided to be more aggressive.”
With home court advantage, the TP men’s bench was joined by a partisan crowd and the polytechnic’s ladies team in roaring their team on. Cheers of “defence, defence” alternated with double claps by the sidelines added to the intensity of the occasion, with SIM captain Richard Neo audibly barking tactical instructions on court.
But SIM silenced the crowd with Gary Yeo’s game-high 18 points adding to captain Richard Neo’s 16 points, which included a key three-pointer that deflated a gallant TP team that had narrowed the score to a single point (49-48) in the final quarter.
“There was nothing to be too worried about,” Neo said after the game. “We knew we had plenty of time to make up the gap. We tightened our defence and started full-court press. Their lack of experience was the difference.”
SIM coach Leong identified defending NTU’s centre Russel Low as a “big problem” in Friday’s final. “We are going to have to play better than this on Friday,” he said.
SIM and NTU will also contest the women’s final Friday evening, after they coasted through their respective semi-finals.
NTU eased past TP 58-48 in the early game, while SIM subsequently outclassed Singapore Polytechnic (SP) 52-33.
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)
NUS Roster
Terry Tan Soon Lee (#1), Jeremy Lee Weng Fatt (#3), Au Jin Kai (#4), Han Jun Seo (#5), Rolu Monilla Oyekanmi (#6), Chan Wai Hon (#7), Ng Yao Zhong (#8), Auston Quek Xin WEi (#9), Raymond Loo Jian Wei (#10), Subhas Govin Prabhakar Nair (#12), Clement Chan Ming Rong (#13), Leong Kai Yuan (#15), Ong Sze Chuan (#18), Lim Dao Han (#24), Sim Xing Kai (#68)
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)
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)
For NUS vs NTU photos, click here
For SIM vs TP photos, click here
For NTU vs TP (women’s) photos, click here
For SIM vs SP (women’s) photos, click here
More photos next page
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