By Erwin Wong/Red Sports

Clementi Sports Hall, Friday, April 9, 2010 – Tan Yuan Bin, the Yishun Secondary School player who lashed out at Unity Secondary’s Wong Keng Yang during a boys’ National B Division basketball game on April 6th, has been suspended for the remainder of the championship.

Mr Woon Ta Chuang, a member of the convening and organising committee for national schools’ basketball, told Red Sports that the committee had met and came to the decision after the Unity team had lodged a complaint.

In the incident, another Yishun player had possession of the ball, and as Yuan Bin tried to break clear with Keng Yang shadowing him closely, Yuan Bin swung his arm into the face of the Unity player, who was in front of him.

That left Keng Yang with an eye injury and he left the game for good. A foul was called on Yuan Bin but he was allowed to stay in the game, which Unity won 84-64.

When asked whether and how Yuan Bin's suspension would affect the team, Yishun teacher-in-charge Mr Tan Hong Peng replied, "It does, because ultimately he is still part of the team."

"But like our principal and overall teacher-in-charge briefed him and the whole team, no matter what happens, we just want them to play a good game, and show everyone that despite this incident, Yishun does play good basketball. I'm quite happy that they managed to play well without him."

Yishun opened their second round campaign without Yuan Bin and beat Dunman Secondary 71-64. Unity have also done well without Keng Yang, notching up two wins in as many days to seal a semi-final slot.

"Keng Yang is recovering, and has a checkup today. He has a cut in his eyeball," said Unity team mate Ng Wei Xiang after their team beat New Town 76-42. He also added that it was possible that Keng Yang could return for training next week.

Unity had to do without their hardworking teammate in the previous two games.

"He is a good defender, and gets most of the rebounds. He is a very hardworking player," described Wei Xiang.

When asked whether Yuan Bin's suspension for the remainder of the tournament was a heavy enough punishment, Wei Xiang disagreed.

"No, because Keng Yang has paid a lot of medical fees, and he has a cut in his eye. It's not worth it. Yuan Bin should pay for his medical fees."