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.
NONO….
Mitch and Desmond are our rising stars for Singapore Future….
They have very strong scoring abilities…….
PLUS they r young 🙂
i tot bear still playing for sin kee in division 2
Wow.. what a squad..if you take away Mitch and Desmond and change to Jialing and Derrick Lim..this squad is very strong.. Can this work out for the future tournament??
I always heard it was the other way..that the younger players were not as serious and competitive. I believe there should be a reason why so many older players choose not to don the national flag..perhaps due to work, or maybe its due to the coach or the entire BAS system? Why continue to change the players and not reflect on the the management level when we have not seen any progress the past few yrs..
Its a pity to see players like jialing, jiaren, mengkoon, sham , mitch etc omitted from the squad.. they would have much to offer in terms of both skills and experience for the national team
Yes my number one vote for national coach should be
CHEN ZHENG HAO.
His the one who brought up players like :
Wenxing,Jinghong,Sham and etc….
Too bad good players like Bear have stopped playing…
Its nice to watch him play esp when he dunks…
Hi 3, i think you got a wrong idea..According to my sources, the younger players is the want not coming for training. Tournament coming then they turn up.
Oh ya
and the coach should be
Zhen Jen Hao
with Han Li Jun as the Asst
Singapore 12 best players
PG Chai Wen xin , Mike Wong
Sg Jason GWL , Mitch , Koong Kum Hoong
Sf Koh Meng Koon, Desmond Oh
Pf Goh Joon Aik, Sham , Bear Goh
C Pathman, Jiaren
This is a medal winning team
I tink is nt a matter of current coach do not like old players but rather being whether these old players wan to committ or not and not come trg as and when they like.
Yeah!!!! HOLIDAY soon 🙂
If the younger want to improve they need to learn how to play team balls not individual… Will any players call up for the national team?? Kidd, i think SAFSA going there to hoilday..team too stronger for them unless lady luck follow them there : )
I used to play for AAA team in BBAXN competition with Kidd and the other ex National players. Not that Strong team.
Man in black i think what you have suggest won’t happen. trust me
It is a invitation cup for the 4 countries’ Champion’s Club from Philippines,Singapore,Malaysia and Indonesia(or Thai). Malaysia – host in Penang.
BRO Max,
It was so fun with you taking the AH MOHs back to their hometown… 🙂 when can we play together again har…?
Wow.. If the 2001 team vs the current national players..i think is a full house..referees will side the national team for the first time..in many years.. Max which team you play for in the BBAXN league.. strong team???
Most of the Players from 2001 squad were players playing for AAA team in BBAXN in previous seasons.
Kidds i enjoy the BBAXN time when we beat those ang mo in BBAXN.
If you see the whole NBL tournament.. you can see the younger players still cannot make it.. take Min Yi as a example: They got five current national players still cannot bring the squad to top four of the NBL. What happen??? The top four team SAFSA(1 national player),HUBC (1), Eng Tat(3), Tong Whye(1).. can anyone comment this issue.. I heard the tournament SAFSA going.. is just a four team tournament not Champion League Club.. I think you got it wrong Kidd..
When you are over the age of 30, its time to give the younger generation a chance to shine…
If not the younger ones will not be able to catch up….
Champion League Club competition invitation CUP, SAFSA will be going.Go SAFSA!
HEY MAX,
Miss having you as teammate, AAA was a fun team!
You are my FAV player ?
Chua Ping not the coach. Derrick is the one coaching.
How come dun like?? Then the current squad got chance for any medal?? I heard that some tournament coming up right?? How players from Max list still inside the current squad?
yes all-star team… but the current coach do not like old players…….