Story and photos by Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports
Lee Wai Chong (TJC #4) drives in for two. He had a game-high 14 points. (Photo 1 © Low Zheng Yu/Red Sports)
OCBC Arena, Monday, April 17, 2017 — Temasek Junior College (TJC) outlasted Millennia Institute (MI) 47-39 in the National A Division Basketball Championship.
With this win, TJC have a 2-1 win-loss record after losing to Innova Junior College (IJC) but securing a victory against Saint Joseph’s Institution (SJI) previously. They will play against NUS High next.
On the other hand, this is MI’s third loss of the season with a win-loss record of 0-3. They had lost to IJC and Raffles Institution previously and look to play against SJI next.
Wang Guanlan (TJC #12) of TJC started the game with an offensive put-back, but Zulkarnain B Zaidi (MI #4) quickly answered by knocking down a three. Unfazed, TJC went on to play good defense to prevent MI from scoring while they went on an 8-0 run.
Despite that, MI played on with confidence. MI’s Zhou Junhao (MI #16) knocked down a three as they went on a 7-0 run to tie at ten. However TJC scored a floater to lead 12-10 after the first quarter.
In the second, TJC continued playing well on their defensive end to throw MI off their rhythm. MI could not find their mark while TJC continued to increase their lead via transition offense. Chan Zhi Xiang (MI #11) decided it had to stop and made two three-point shots in a row as MI went on a 8-0 run to cut TJC’s lead to four.
However, TJC made one of two free throw to lead 28-23 at the half.
In the third, MI continued to fight hard to stay in the game. While they were able to cut the lead to less than five on several occasions, TJC always found an answer by playing defense and forcing the turnover to score on their transition offense. Lee Wai Chong (TJC #4) of TJC led the way with game-high 14 points.
As the game continued, this helped TJC maintained their lead as they eventually outlasted MI to take the game 47-39.
TJC’s captain, Wang Guanlan (TJC #12), commented, “I think their shooting was very accurate. Compared to them, we got to work hard and train on our shots. Their centers were also very strong with some good strategy play. So we countered their centers by double teaming on them to guard them. While it was not as successful, it did help but we still got to work on it. Our fast-break was quite nice, and we remained calm even though they (MI) were catching up from our 12 point lead to be able to pull through.”
Scoring by Quarter
TJC vs MI
1st Q: 12-10
2nd Q: 16-13 (28-23)
3rd Q: 09-07 (37-30)
4th Q: 10-09 (47-39)
Top Scorers
TJC
Lee Wai Chong (#4) – 14 pts
Ho Wee Meng (#7) – 12 pts
MI
Chin Zheng Kai Darren (#8) – 12 pts
Chan Zhi Xiang (#11) – 10 pts
TJC Roster
Lee Wai Chong (#4), Toh De Kai (#5), Sim Wei Jie (#6), Ho Wee Meng (#7), Heng Kian Heng (#8), Peter Yeo Wei Long (#9), Yao Zecheng (#10), Jegan G G S (#11), Wang Guanlan (#12), Daniel Teo (#13), Teo I-Jen (#14), Wang Yihe (#15)
MI Roster
Low Jin Peng (#1), Ang Wei Xiang (#2), Ho Guan De Daryl (#3), Zulkarnain B Zaidi (#4), Darrell Lim Wei Ren (#5), Lim Jun Ye (#6), Lim Yu Yong, Keith (#7), Chin Zheng Kai Darren (#8), Chan Zhi Xiang (#11), Justin Tan Zhen Zhou (#13), Zhou Junhao (#16), Cheow Pak Yan, Joel (#23), Cheong Shao Hong (#28), Koh Wei Jun Dalwin (#30), Gabriel Lim (#35)
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