Contributed by reader Steven

Singapore Basketball Centre, Sunday, May 17, 2009 – A last-second 3-point buzzer beater by SAFSA ended the reign of local powerhouse Home United Basketball Club.

Widely tipped as the hot favourites again for this season, Home United failed to defend their title and lost 63-64 to SAFSA.

A miraculous shot near half-court by ex-national and Tong Whye player Derrick Lin gave SAFSA a dramatic victory and created history since nobody can remember when they last lifted a trophy in the NBL.

SAFSA were relegated two years ago to the NBL Division 2 due to an ugly fight between them and Home United and they were promoted back into Division after a tough season in Division 2 last year.

SAFSA were newly reformed this year, due to the departure of some good players like Wei Kian and Teo Chun Hoe. Despite the departure of these players, they were injected with experienced players like Derrick Lin, Rudy Tan, Jia Ling and up and coming youngsters Guo Liang (Eng Tat), Jackson (Tagawa) and Steven Khoo. SAFSA were considered as one of the dark horses in Division 1.

Despite trailing in points all the way, they came back from an 18-point deficit to win by a point. They were no match for Home United in terms of skills and some will say they merely won by luck, but overall they put in a fantastic performance worthy of the championship that night.

Home United didn’t lose to SAFSA as much as they lost to themselves. Koh Meng Koon as usual played a great game, but just couldn’t get the important shots in at the crucial moments.

This loss also sends an important signal to Home United that the other teams in the NBL are also improving unlike previous years where beat teams easily.

The SAFSA victory is a sign that the intensity level of the NBL Division 1 will get higher next year.