Koh Meng Koon’s late surge brings Home their 6th National Basketball League title in 7 years

By Erwin Wong/Red Sports

Singapore Basketball Centre, Sunday, May 23, 2010 — Defence was the order of the day for Home United Basketball Club, and that was a key factor in their 55-42 win over Eng Tat Hornets in the National Basketball League Division One Final.

“Defence is 100% part of the game, because with good defence comes good offence,” said Home’s Alan Lim, who has gained a reputation with his maniacal hustle plays. “So what coach has always told us is to be 100% on defence. Defence and hustle to always be 100%.”

Mitchell Folkoff and team captain Koh Meng Koon each scored a game-high 11 points for Home, who led by as many as 17 points before Eng Tat closed to within six points with a little more than three minutes to go.

A 10-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters handed Home United a 47-30 lead, but Eng Tat responded with 11 unanswered points, capped by a tough running bank shot and a three-pointer from Singapore Slingers player Michael Wong to set the stage for an exciting finale.

Home United buckled down and focused on getting stops. “When we called a timeout, coach said to get our defence settled down, and we’ll get our offence up and running,” said Alan, who scored nine points and had six rebounds.

Ex-national team captain and stalwart Meng Koon, who had been held scoreless till late in the third quarter, made a short jumper after creating space with a behind-the-back dribble. The Home United lead was jacked up to double digits again when he made a long baseline jumper with 1:48 to play, and then converted two free throws after stealing Ching Rong Lie’s offensive inbounds pass and getting fouled hard on the layup.

Meng Koon completed his offensive surge of eight consecutive points with a short hook to make it 55-41, and was named the Most Valuable Player at the trophy presentation ceremony shortly after.

“Both teams played really well. I must give credit to Eng Tat for giving us a hard fight all 40 minutes,” said Meng Koon on his thoughts after the game.

This was Eng Tat’s breakthrough season after falling at the semi-final hurdle in the previous three years, and though they were the obvious favourite of the thousand-strong crowd, they fell behind early on and were left chasing the game from then.

Lim Hong Meng’s only basket of the game came on Eng Tat’s sole lead of the game at 4-3, as Home United rattled off the next 13 points contributed by four different players. Point guard Tan Kee Chai then ghosted in to steal Eng Tat’s inbounds pass late in the quarter, though failing to score, as Home United finished the first period strongly and led 18-7.

Eng Tat came out upon resumption the more aggressive team, as they relentlessly drove the paint on offence and drew offensive fouls on Home United at the other end, while holding their opponents scoreless for more than half the 10-minute quarter.

Eng Tat’s 6-0 run was capped by Home United getting over the team foul limit just three minutes in, but they made just one more trip to the charity stripe after that in the quarter, as Home United settled into their rhythm and ended their scoring drought with a pair of free throws from Mitchell, who made seven of 10 from the line in the game.

Home led 31-22 at half-time, and in a pattern mirrored consistently throughout the game, responded in fine fashion whenever Eng Tat closed to within striking distance. The lead was down to five at 33-28, but that would be the closest Eng Tat would get to Home, as the latter rarely surrendered good looks to the Eng Tat players.

Eng Tat Hornets’ Rong Lie had a game-high five field goals, but needed 19 attempts, while other key players like Michael (4/12, 33%) and Chan Kok Feng (1/6, 17%) were also held in check. Singapore Slingers player Desmond Oh, who also suited up for Eng Tat Hornets, had nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Home opened up a double-digit lead late in the third quarter, which was highlighted by arguably the play of the night. Rong Lie looked to reduce the deficit as the clock wound down, but his layup attempt was swatted away by K Shanmugadas, who had hustled back on the defensive play.

Home United clinched their sixth title in seven years, and Alan accorded it to team unity and tireless work ethic.

“We are very happy! We got it back to where it belongs! Last year it wasn’t meant for us when we lost it somehow, but we worked very hard during training this year. Everyone came down and the team was very united, and we worked very hard to get it back.”

Meng Koon echoed his teammate’s words, and credited the younger players in the team. “I’m proud of all my players, like Mitchell and (Wang) Wei Jie, stepping up with their points. This team emphasizes more on youngsters. We have young blood coming up to take over some of the senior players. This is a tradition for the club.”

Siglap and Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (SAFSA) finished third and fourth respectively in Division 1. Tagawa beat Sin Kee 65-49 in the Division 2 final, while Chong Ghee (third) and NUS (fourth) completed the top four places.

Scoring by Quarter
Home United vs Eng Tat Hornets
1st Q: 18-7
2nd Q: 13-15
3rd Q: 12-8
4th Q: 12-12

Attendance: 1,000

Home United Game Box Score

Eng Tat Hornets Game Box Score

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