National U-18 trump adidas U-18 in basketball matchup

Story by Ian Chew. Pictures by Leslie Tan, Lai Jun Wei and Ian Chew.

Lim Fang Ching (adidas #9) in full flight for a lay up. He scored 9 points but his team still ended up losing 64-79 to a more balanced Singapore team. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Catholic High School, Saturday, March 15, 2008 – A furious fourth quarter comeback rally by the adidas Under-18 squad, led by Khaw Yeong Wooi (#10) who scored 19 of his team’s 28 fourth quarter points, failed to overcome the National Under-18 team. A stronger and more balanced national team eventually won the game 79-64.

Said centre Lim Shengyu (#13) of the national team, who also won for himself a place to the adidas camp in Shanghai, China with his stellar performance in the game.

“The key to our victory today was our unselfish team play. Yet credit to the adidas team for pushing us all the way. They have plenty of talent in their team as well.”

Continued the player, currently studying in Hwa Chong Institution and who incredibly only picked up competitive basketball in secondary 4 of Bukit Panjang Government High:

“It was totally unexpected and a great honour to be selected as the local representative for the adidas camp!”

Added Neo Nam Kheng, head coach of the National Under-18 squad which trains twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays) at the Singapore Basketball Centre:

“Our team defense held up well today, though our offensive play can be improved. We were especially aware of the threat posed by adidas team’s Yeong Wooi, seeing that he was recently selected as the Most Valuable Player in the Malaysian state Under-18 competition.”

When asked about the future plans for the national team, he said:

“Our goal would be to do well in the upcoming ASEAN Under-18 competition held in KL, Malaysia in May. We will be up against perennial favorites Philippines, hosts Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia as well. The best 2 teams can then go on to qualify for Asian Under-18 games.”

The national team had showed greater team play and understanding to take a big 25-10 first quarter lead. Pung Jiawei (#8) and Shengyu (#13) led their team with 10 and 6 points respectively in the opening period.

The adidas team replied in the second quarter with excellent play from Tan Jing Hong (#23). He scored 12 of his team’s 16 points in the quarter to close the gap to 26-36 at the break. He had singlehandedly outscored the entire national team in the second quarter!

However the strength in depth of the national team soon told in the third quarter. They smoothly built up the lead back to 22 points with a 58-36 scoreline. Shengyu and Lim Boon Kiat (#20) led their team with 6 points each.

That set the stage for a fourth quarter rally by adidas. Despite a frantic full court press and outscoring the national 28-21 in the final quarter, the gap proved too big for adidas as time expired. The national team ran out comfortable 79-64 winners.

Nevertheless, head coach Mr Koh Tung Ching of the adidas team was satisfied with his team’s performance.

“Our team lacked playing experience but more than made up for it by their effort. This is a valuable experience for the team and showcases our talented youth in Singapore apart from those already selected and training in the national team.”

As for future of this promising team, team manager Mr Hans Yeo of adidas said:

“We will take the next one month to decide. Ultimately it would be up to the coaches and players to set goals for themselves as to what they want to achieve.”

Calvin Chia (#4) of the national team won the other coveted spot to the adidas Superstar Basketball Camp in China from 18-24 May. Both players also stand chances to go on to the United States in August for an international basketball camp with NBA superstars!

adidas Under-18 team (in white)
Coaches: Koh Tung Ching, Kwang Fu, Hwee Liak, Yao Quan
Players:
Khaw Yeong Wooi #10 – 21 points
Tan Jing Hong #23 – 12 points
Lim Fang Ching #9 – 9 points
Wong Kam Seng #11 – 9 points
Kan Weihong #3 – 7 points
Sheldon Yen #7 – 3 points
Ang Joon Kiat #21 – 3 points
Richard Neo #0
Dallas Wong #5
Hou Heng Sheng #8
Lau Wei Song #24
Low Weng Siang #33

National Under-18 team (in red)
Coach: Neo Nam Kheng
Players:
Lim Shengyu #13 – 21 points
Pung Jiawei #8 – 15 points
Chua Soon Hua #17 – 9 points
Koh Chee Siang #15 – 9 points
Calvin Chia #4 – 8 points
Lim Boon Kiat #20 – 6 points
Clarence Leong #11 – 4 points
Poon Chong Lin #12 – 3 points
Edwin Low #6 – 2 points
Danny Chua #10 – 2 points
Pek Jia Rong #5
Raven Tan #7
Ang Wei Xian #14
Tan Hong Kwang #16
Alfilial #18
Yap Kian Leong #19

Pre match routine – both set of players decked in adidas wear posing for a photo in the nicely decorated Catholic High indoor sports hall. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

adidas head coach Koh Tung Ching, a former Taiwan national player, giving some last minute instructions to his team before the game as Wong Kam Seng (#11) and Dallas Wong (#5) listened attentively. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

From left: Pek Jia Rong, formerly from Gan Eng Seng Sec and Poon Chong Lin, now in Hwa Chong Institution, looking on as Singapore’s coach Neo Nam Kheng speaks. Raven Tan (in black) could not participate in the match due an injury. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Singapore’s Calvin Chia, of Hwa Chong Instutition (Junior College) attempting a lay up in front of adidas’ Khaw Yeong Wooi outstretched arms. That is no mean feat, considering that the 1.95m player regularly dunks the ball during his Catholic High training practices! (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Pung Jiawei (#8) had a good game for his Singapore team, scoring 15 points in all. However, due to his selection for the adidas camp last year, he was not eligible for the selection this year. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Singapore’s Lim Shengyu rejecting Fang Ching’s lay up with authority. He must have been the most improved youth player in the whole of Singapore with his all star performance! (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Chong Lin (#12), a former Maris Stella player, attempting again to play some good defense on Sheldon Yen (#7, adidas). (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Team adidas’ tactics of going to Yeong Wooi in the fourth quarter seemed to work as he scored 19 of his 21 points in that period alone. Team Singapore found him such a handful that Shengyu and Soon Hua, their two tallest players, had to double up on him constantly. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

It was a physical game with both sides playing for pride and a chance for a ticket to China. Here Singapore’s Yap Kian Leong (#19) fouls adidas’ Sheldon Yen (#7) to prevent an easy lay up. (Photo © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Khaw Yeong Wooi (adidas #10) takes a jump shot against the block of Chia Soon Hua (Singapore #17). (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Richard Neo (adidas #0) going for the basket while Choong Lin (Singapore #12) blocks. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Danny Chua (Singapore #10) going unobstructed for a lay up. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Tan Jing Hong (adidas #23) taking a free throw. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

The National U-18 team coach Neo Nam Kheng giving instructions to his players. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Lim Fang Ching (adidas #9) comes up against a strong defense by the National U-18 team. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Kan Wei Hong (adidas #3) going round his opponent. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Khaw Yeong Wooi (adidas #10) looking on during a time out. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

The players shake hands after the game. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Calvin Chia (Singapore #4), one of the two lucky winners for the spot to go to the adidas nations camp in Shanghai, China. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Lim Sheng Yu (Singapore #13), the other player who won the other coveted spot. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

No way through! Poon Chong Lin (Singapore #12) swatting away Lim Fang Ching’s (adidas #9) lay up attempt. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Aware of 1.95m Yeong Wooi’s threat, Singapore’s point guard Pek Jia Rong (#5) takes special effort to block him out. (Photo © Ian Chew)

Ed’s note: Look out for stories and pictures on the adidas 3-point shootout!

More pictures in the gallery.