Story Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports
Let the game begin. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
ITE East, Monday, July 4, 2011 — Singapore suffered a heart-breaking 45-42 defeat by Indonesia in the ASEAN Schools Games girls’ basketball competition.
Singapore trailed after the first quarter due to a slow start, but they matched their Indonesian opponents the rest of the match and kept the score close. They even took the lead with the first three baskets of the final quarter.
Towards the end of the match, both teams traded baskets but it was the visitors who eventually made the final basket that sealed the win.
“It is definitely heart-breaking to lose by such a margin,” said coach Chua Mei Hui.
“We felt this was a game that we could have won and I think the girls were a bit nervous at the start. From a coach’s perspective, I’m definitely proud of the girls as they have put in a lot of effort and they did their best even though they are a young team.”
“It was just tough luck that we lost this match,” she admitted.
In their previous match, they lost 43-59 to Malaysia and with their second defeat of the tournament, they will not be able to secure a medal for Singapore.
A sluggish start by both teams saw sloppy passes plaguing the first few minutes of the match. Singapore, in particular, were guilty of quite a few but the Indonesians were also unable to get their shots to drop despite having more possession.
It took Singapore five minutes to score their first basket of the match but they were still able to keep to within three at 8-11 thanks to two layups from Ramona Wong and Diane Seow at the end of the quarter.
Ramona Wong got Singapore going in the second quarter before Shermaine See tied the match at 13-13. However, the Indonesians still led throughout the second quarter and took a three-point advantage at 26-23 into the half time break.
Much of the same followed in the third period as Singapore tried to cut down the lead. Michelle Tsen, who performed well in the first match against Malaysia, nailed a three to bring the hosts to within one at 27-28.
However, despite having many opportunities to take the lead, Singapore just weren’t able to sink their shots. Careless ball handling also cost the team as they fell behind by 30-36 going into final 10 minutes.
After a disappointing third quarter, the team came out determine not to let Indonesia secure the win easily. A layup by Amanda Lim, sandwiched between two by Ramona Wong, tied the game at 36-all within two minutes of the restart which prompted a time-out by the visitors.
Still, that could not stop Singapore’s momentum as they took their first lead of the game with a little over seven minutes remaining with a pair of free throws by Amanda Lim to make the scores 38-36.
The Indonesians were quick to level the scores as both teams tried desperately to edge ahead. With the scores tied at 42-apiece and with 60 seconds remaining, the match looked like it could go either way.
However, it was the Indonesians who managed to get their noses in front with a layup. At the end other, Amanda Lim missed a three-pointer and Singapore could not get the rebound, and with that, their hopes of a medal slipped away.
“It really could have gone either way in the closing minutes,” commented coach Chua after the match.
“The whole team really wanted to win at the end and that’s how we managed to catch up. I think we lacked composure at the end, but this is a good platform for the team to learn. Now they know they have to get into the game quickly.”
Mr Lim Phang Boon took time to come down to support his daughter Amanda Lim and was cheering his heart out throughout the match.
“I’m not only really proud of my daughter, but also the whole Singapore team,” he commented when asked what he thought of the match.
“It was a really exciting match and they played better than in their first match. Usually in international games, Singapore doesn’t win, but I always believe that they should keep fight and that’s exactly what they did today!”
“I hope more Singaporeans would come down to support the team as that’s what’s really lacking,” he added.
Singapore Lineup
Nur Shuhadah Binte Mohamed Abdul Gaffoor (#4)
Tan Yi Lin (#5)
Gladys Molino (#6)
Michelle Tsen (#7)
Chin Wan Qing (#8)
Diane Seow (#9)
Janice Ong (#10)
Amanda Lim (#11)
Anthea Chan (#12)
Ramona Wong (#13)
Alanna Lim (#14)
Shermaine See (#15)
Ramona Wong (SG #13) looking to pass the ball. (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
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