Hwa Chong Institution and Anderson Junior College boys book their places in basketball final

Story by reader Ian Chew and photos by Ng Cheng Cong

Despite a good shooting performance from VJ point guard Loh Wanxin (#14, black), he was unable to stop the stronger HCI team from taking the game 76-53. He scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers. (Photo 1 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, 16 May – National U18 player Lim Shengyu (#13) may have top scored for his Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) team with 23 points, but it was their collective defense that shut down fellow semi finalist Victoria Junior College’s offense. HCI simply outscored, out-rebounded and outfought the VJ boys for a 76-53 win. The win catapulted the defending champions into a repeat A Division boys final of 2006 against Anderson Junior College, who also won their semi final game against Temasek Junior College.

Hwa Chong Institution showed their intent early by jumping to a 6-0 lead, with Shengyu scoring all 6 points. VJ’s point guard Loh Wanxin (#14) also showed some good shooting touches from beyond the arc, but the first quarter belonged to HCI. They took a 17-7 lead into the break.

HCI displayed their strength in depth when their players came off the bench to lead the team to a 37-19 first-half score. Both Shengyu and Chiam Hong Yao (#5), HCI’s point guard, scored 6 points apiece during this period to lead their team.

The fast tiring VJ team could only manage 10 points in the third quarter, The aggressive HCI defense restricted the VJ players to long distance attempts from beyond the 3-point line, but unfortunately for them, most of their shots fell far short. Hwa Chong had by this time wrapped up the game with 55-29 third quarter lead.

A controversial technical foul called on Hong Yao in the fourth quarter failed to derail the team however, and Hwa Chong went on to book a place in the final on 22 May (Thu) at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

Hwa Chong’s point guard Chiam Hong Yao attributed his team’s win to meticulous preparation.

Said Hong Yao: “We watched videos of the VJ team before the match and focused on shutting down their point guard (Wanxin). I think we did a pretty good job and the team (VJC) missed a lot of their attempts.”

As to the final, Hong Yao was confident but wary of the threat posed by Anderson Junior College at the same time. AJC beat Temasek Junior College 72-60 in the other semi final.

“This is the first time we are playing Anderson in the competition and we have to especially watch out for Yan Ming (#6), AJ’s key player,” he continued. Yan Ming top scored with 24 points for his team in the semi final game, including four 3-pointers.

But HCI will be facing a slight complication in their preparations for the final though. Two of their key players Lim Shengyu and Calvin Chia will be flying to Shanghai for an adidas Nations Camp from 18-24 May.

But Calvin was unflustered by the disruption.

“The trip may deprive us the chance of training with the team for the final, but I am confident our preparations over the past year have been adequate. I don’t think missing a few days of training will make much of a difference. Anyway, the camp is a chance in a lifetime!” he said.

The two boys will be flying back to Singapore from Shanghai for the match on 21 May (Wed) before flying back to Shanghai on 22 May (Thu) evening after the final. Looks like the boys will be in for an eventful week!

HCI’s defense ensured there were no easy baskets for the VJC team. Here VJ’s #8 failed to get pass HCI’s Calvin Chia (#4) and did not get on the score sheet as well. (Photo 2 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

VJ’s Julian Low (#15) had a creditable game as well, scoring 8 points and grabbing some key rebounds for his team. (Photo 2 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

No way through! HCI power forward Yap Ching Poh (#15, in white) blocking Wanxin’s lay up. (Photo 3 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

No way through again! VJ’s Macus (#4, black) seemed mildly irritated at HCI forward Chester Leow’s (#11, white) close attention! (Photo 4 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

HCI’s defense not only kept the VJC forwards at bay, but also kept the VJC supporters beside me strangely quiet throughout the game! (Photo 5 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

AJC forward Yan Ming’s (#6, in blue) excellent court composure made the key difference in his team’s 72-60 win over TJC. No wonder HCI is already eyeing how to stop him in the final! (Photo 6 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

Other players contributed to AJC’s win as well. Here AJ’s Zhishu (#14, blue) chipped in with 6 points for his team, all in the first quarter. (Photo 7 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

AJC forward Samuel (#8) also had a good game, contributing 12 points to his team’s cause. (Photo 8 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

AJC forward Yanming’s (#6, in blue) good ball control skills and footwork proved unstoppable for the TJC defense. (Photo 9 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

No one’s stopping me this time! (Photo 10 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

AJC’s defense also restricted TJC to a measly 25 point first half output. (Photo 11 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

TJC guard Zhihao #10 led his team on a second half comeback, however. Here he’s seen closely defended by Wei Zhong (#12). (Photo 12 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

On the way to a lay up!Zhihao top scored with 22 points for his TJ team, including two 3-pointers. (Photo 13 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

The AJC players ecstatic with their semi final win! Their qualifying campaign had been tough, with losses to both NYJC and NJC in the earlier rounds. (Photo 14 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

The AJC basketball team, led by teacher-in-charge Arthur Lim, kept the AJC flag flying high by qualifying for the final for the second time in three years! Can the team overcome the odds for a triumph against HCI? We’ll have to find out on 22 May! (Photo 15 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)