By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports
Delvin Goh lays up over the Filipino defense. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
ITE East, Saturday, July 2, 2011 — The Singapore boys’ squandered a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead to eventually lose 71-62 to the defending champions Philippines in their first match of the ASEAN Schools Games basketball competition.
A brilliant performance from Singapore in the first three quarters allowed the team to take a 56-44 lead into the fourth quarter but the Filipinos slowly crawled their way back, taking the lead at 63-61 with three minutes on the clock before maintaining their lead to deliver a heart-breaking lost to the hosts.
For many Singapore supporters, it was a defeat that left a bad taste in the mouth, especially since the opposition’s bench distracted the local team by counting down the shot clock before it expired.
But assistant coach Shanmugadas S/O Kumaresadas choose to take a positive spin on the defeat.
“No, I’m not,” said Shanmugadas when asked if he was disappointed with the result.
“Our young team did really well in the first three quarters and it was only till the last part that the lack of experience showed. The effort level from the boys was just crazy and they will learn from this experience,” said Shanmugadas.
“Losing this way is a good learning experience for them and the next time they are in this situation, they will know what to do. It was just the rebounding at the last part that was key in the match. There was a momentum shift at the end and that’s what cost us,” added the coach.
At the start of the match, Singapore did well to keep their opponents at bay despite trailing at the start. They forced a number of turnovers and took a 20-16 lead at the end of the first period.
Much of the same followed in the second quarter as they maintained their lead and even managed an 8-0 run to lead 28-19. Philippines did not help their own cause as they missed a couple of layups as Singapore applied an aggressive defense.
However, towards the end of the quarter, the ASEAN basketball powerhouse responded with a run of their own. The Filipinos ended the half on an 11-3 run to cut the Singapore lead down to one at 31-30.
Singapore did surrender their lead as they gave up the first two baskets of the third period, but they were soon back in it with Lester Ng leading the way. The Singapore #13 made a couple of baskets to extend the lead back to nine points at 43-34.
It was not long before Singapore further extended their lead, capitalising on the Filipinos’ frustration at a couple of calls by the referees as the match started to get physical. It looked like the game was in the bag for Singapore as they made it 56-44 heading into the final quarter.
However, the visitors stormed back, slowly chipping away at the hosts lead. At the other end, the local lads had trouble sinking their shots and simply could not put points on the score sheet.
With a little over five minutes left in the match, Singapore got into foul trouble, chalking up their fifth foul of the quarter.
That proved to be the local boys’ undoing as they were unable to aggressively challenge for the rebounds and the Filipinos dominated the boards.
The Philippines took the lead at 63-61 with three minutes remaining and Francis Munsayac followed it up by nailing a corner three to effectively seal victory for the visitors.
“We did play well, but we slackened in the final quarter,” said vice-captain Tan Jun Wei.
“It was a great learning experience for us and it is great to play with players of such a high standard. I think the jeering did affect the team a bit, but the match is not only won on the court, but also in the mind. It is all part of the game. We will bounce back in our next match against Thailand.”
For the Philippines head coach Mark Jomalesa, he was just relieved that the team secured the win.
“It was an ugly win and a tough game. We didn’t play well and could have done a lot better. We have to adjust to this brand of international basketball and I’m just happy that we managed to get through. The boys showed a lot of character to come back from such a big deficit,” said Jomalesa.
Singapore lineup
Peter Soo (#4)
Thng Jun Rong (#5)
Ng Wei Xiang (#6)
David Soo (#7)
Wong Keng Yang (#8)
Hibshamir (#9)
Ng Kian Hao (#10)
Lee Lai Sheng (#11)
Tan Jun Wei (#12)
Lester Ng (#13)
Delvin Goh (#14)
Chun Wang Xuan (#15)
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5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Lol!
Nice win Philippines.
no surprise! philippine team is the best!
what kind of excuse?because the opponents chanting 5,4,3,2,1?look at the way the team plyed….shooting 3s as though they are kobe bryant for the last 1.46.Instead of getting a bucket,stop their offense and then get another bucket.1.46 is a long time….what’s the coaches doing…
I am waiting for FIBA world cup qualifier this september. Indonesia will participate in preparation for their hosting of SEAGAMES.
Regards to sea games, the Philippine team will send all amateur players headed by Ray Parks
I personally feel that, SG team center need to pose a bigger threat on the offensive end. Is okay that if you are not able to use any low post move due to very limited amount of space, however as I see from the video tape, I feel that you had great speed, and should use it to drive to the lane and draw some fouls and go to the free throw line and establish a good rhythm. Team defense need to be better too.
atrocious shooting from both teams. no teamwork. no endurance. no fire or fuel in the end. it looked like two teams playing street ball… lots of missed shots. 20% from the ft line 25% from the open court.
Disappointment, we could have gotton a win for the game… was leading all the way till last few mins of the fourth quarter, what the hell is wrong with the entire coaching staff and management????? TOTALLY wrong strategy and composure during the game..
I wonder is it because they kept using the same inbound play and half court defence which they learn on youtube or because they have always been coaching only DSA Players or poaching others players till they forgot where they have initially started out from!!
Bloodly piss off with the way they run the team. Average height we win, Average shooting & Free throws percentage we win, Average skill, speed, size, vertical we all win… BUT WHY WE LOST THE GAME???? WTH Can anyone enlighten me please???