BASKETBALL
Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games 2007
Republic Polytechnic vs Nanyang Technological University
Thursday, 11 October 2007 at NIE-NTU
Story by Ian Chew. Pictures by Leslie Tan. © Red Sports/soulbreath pictures
Hands on their knees and bent over, the Republic Polytechnic (RP) girls grabbed every break in the game to steal some precious rest. Yet they still managed to dig out reserves of strength to edge out the defending girls IVP champions National Technological University (NTU) 48-46 to take a big step towards qualifying for the semifinals.
Sheryl (#7, RP) drives past Maybelline (#7, NTU) before dishing the ball off to a teammate. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
The game was tight from the start, with NTU looking to bounce back from 2 consecutive defeats to ITE and Temasek Polytechnic. Yet it was the Republic Poly team that started the brighter, jumping to an early 12-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. They managed to preserve their lead in a low-scoring second quarter to lead the game 18-12 at the half-time break.
However, the RP girls, playing their third match in four days, soon began to tire. Coupled with the NTU girls applying full-court man-to-man defense, the RP girls found it out to get past the half-court line. Several missed easy passes and baskets by RP soon found NTU creeping up in points. By the end of the third quarter, NTU were trailing by only a point at 29-30.
Mei Fang (#9, NTU) accidentally gives Avis (#15, RP) a face full of elbow when both went up for the ball. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
The fourth quarter saw NTU taking the lead for the first time in the match. However RP replied with forward Hui Xian (#8) scoring three consecutive baskets to haul her team back to a five-point 42-37 lead. Shi Yun (#6) also helped her RP team with some composed possession play, adding a nice lay up to keep the five-point cushion at 44-39.
NTU was not done yet. Centre Maybelline (#7, NTU) replied immediately with a nice spin move from the baseline to score a basket and cut the lead to 44-41. Their hard work was quickly undone however, when Jean's (#4, NTU) careless pass led to RP's captain Hui Min (#9) making a steal and scoring the fast break for a 46-41 lead.
With the clock winding down, the desperate fouling of RP players by NTU to stop the clock backfired when they were charged with two technical fouls. A last-second spectacular three-point buzzer beater by Phyllis (#12) failed to change the result. Republic Poly ran out deserving 48-46 winners at the end of the game.
Lay Hoon of NTU break through to layup for two. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
Tan Yee Nee, coach of the NTU team, was gracious in defeat.
"Although we were out of the running for the semifinals, I'm still proud of my team in the way they played today. It was a great improvement from the past two matches and we nearly caught up with Republic Poly at the end."
Their next match will be against Singapore Poly on 12 Oct at NIE, NTU while Republic Poly plays Temasek Poly in a crucial game to decide the final four teams. The game will be played at Republic Poly at 7pm.
Republic Polytechnic:
Qin Si (#4)
Zhao Jing (#5)
Shi Yun (#6, Vice Captain)
Sheryl (#7, Vice Captain)
8 - Hui Xian
Hui Min (#9, Captain)
10 - Serene (#10)
Phyllis (#11)
Mabel (#12)
Patricia (#13)
Sherlynn (#14)
Avis (#15)
Chai Luan (#16)
Angel (#17)
Hui Qi (#18)
Coach : Ng San Hong
Nanyang Technological University:
Baoshuang (#3)
Jean (#4)
Deanna (#5)
Lay Hoon (#6)
Maybelline (#7)
Wing Han (#8)
Mei Fang (#9)
Yih Yih (#10)
Phyllis (#12)
Jiang Bin (#13)
Zirong (#14)
Wanmei (#17)
Belina (#22)
Kikana (#26)
Coach - Tan Yee Nee
More pictures in the gallery.
The former jurong sec star is wee hui min instead of shi yun!