Singapore Schools (Red) triumph over Whye Nam in bball U-18 Youth Cup final

Story and pictures contributed by reader Melissa Tan

Lim Shengyu returns from India to help Singapore Schools achieve second place. (Photo 1 © Melissa Tan)

Singapore Basketball Center, Sunday, July 13, 2008 – Singapore Schools (Red) defeated Whye Nam 100-80 to finish second in the Under-18 Youth Cup.

The tip off between the teams had Whye Nam in possession, with Soon Hua drawing first blood with a quick lay-up. Singapore Schools responded after three alternating turnovers through #8 with a lay-up. Five minutes into the game, Singapore Schools were in a 3-point lead and never looked back.

Lim Shengyu (#15 Singapore Schools), who missed the crucial game against Minyi as he was away at the NBA Without Borders Camp in India from July 2nd to 7th, was back in the team. He nailed two back-to-back shots from beyond the arc as early as the 3rd minute of the game to signal his presence in the game.

By the end of the 1st quarter, Whye Nam were trailing by six points at 9-15. In the 2nd quarter, Whye Nam fought hard and improved their defence, giving Singapore Schools a run for their money. Lim Shengyu (#15, Singapore Schools) had three consecutive blocks, followed by an uncontested rebound, leading to a play executed by Calvin Chia (#4, Singapore Schools) to extend their lead to 10 points.

Whye Nam kept up with the pace and narrowed the gap to four points. Jiawei (#12, Whye Nam) had consistent shooting form, sinking free throws and nailing five three-pointers, to shoot 70%. His teammates Weisong and Zhiguang also kept up with the game with accurate shots. But Singapore Schools kept their lead through Chee Siang (#14, Singapore Schools) who converted offensive rebounds into hook shots. By the end of the third quarter, Whye Nam only managed to reduce the 10-point gap by one.

In the last quarter, with only 2:41 mins left in the game, Singapore Schools managed to widen the lead to 14 points at 86-70. After a timeout by Whye Nam, the players went all out to close the gap. Despite gunning with a full-court press to take Singapore Schools down, Whye Nam could not prevent Calvin Chia (#4, Singapore Schools) from outrunning his two opponents to score the 100th point with a beautiful lay-up at the buzzer.

UNDER-18 JUNIOR BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP (YOUTH CUP)
1st – Minyi
2nd – Singapore Schools (Red)
3rd – Whye Nam

Calvin Chia (#4, Singapore Schools) elevates for a lay up. (Photo 2 © Melissa Tan)

Chong Lin (#7, Singapore Schools) execute a fade away jumper while Jiawei (#12, Whye Nam) looks on. (Photo 3 © Melissa Tan)

Chee Siang (#14, Singapore Schools) executes a hook shot. (Photo 4 © Melissa Tan)

Lim Shengyu nearly dunks the ball during the game. (Photo 5 © Melissa Tan)

The Singapore Schools #8 goes for an uncontested layup. (Photo 6 © Melissa Tan)

The Singapore Schools #10 goes for another layup. (Photo 7 © Melissa Tan)