By REDintern Gan Yu Neng
Javin Ang (#18) of Bukit Panjang spikes past the block of Nicholas Kheng (#10) and Ethan Goh (#11). (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 — Bukit Panjang Government High defended their title after beating arch-rivals Hwa Chong Institution 2-0 (25-22, 25-18) in the West Zone C Division Boys’ Volleyball Championship. Hwa Chong were also losing finalists in last year’s zonal final.
At the start of the first set, Bukit Panjang and Hwa Chong traded points, with Hwa Chong seizing an early lead. However, Bukit Panjang quickly recovered, and with a mix of spike kills and light blocks created a scoring streak that brought them to 12-6 up.
Hwa Chong continued to fight on, and turned the match around by scoring six points in quick succession, putting them ahead at 15-14. This lead was short-lived, however, as Bukit Panjang immediately followed up with another six-point streak of their own.
Hwa Chong worked hard to recover and trailed by one at 21-22. However, two Hwa Chong errors gave Bukit Panjang three set points at 24-21. Hwa Chong saved one but could not stop Bukit Panjang taking the first set 25-22 with a resounding spike kill.
In the second set, Hwa Chong seemed unable to hold their serve, scoring only one point on each of their first three touches. Bukit Panjang, on the other hand, took advantage of a series of Hwa Chong’s errors to create a nine-point scoring spree, only ending when Hwa Chong made a spike kill. By then, Bukit Panjang were leading 13-4.
While the teams played far more evenly for the rest of the set, both fighting fiercely for every point, Hwa Chong were unable to close the gap. At 23-17, Bukit Panjang made a powerful spike that gave the team no less than seven match points.
While Hwa Chong saved one with a clutch spike kill, a light tap by Bukit Panjang won the set and championship at 25-18.
Bukit Panjang’s team captain, Jee Jin De (#16), felt that it was a well-deserved victory.
“I feel that my team has done very well, by coming out of class for extra training. Very proud of them. The match I think went quite smoothly, everyone played well today,” he said.
Jin De, as well as teammates Xavier Yap (#4), Tan Heng Long (#7), Lee York Tat (#15) and Javin Ang (#18), are from the same C Division squad that beat Hwa Chong last year in the West Zone final, and again in the National semi-final.
Bukit Panjang are the reigning National champions and Jin De hopes to repeat that feat.
“Hope to go all the way up again this year,” said Jin De.
Hwa Chong’s team captain, Tan Jiong Han (#7), has this to say about the game: “I think we started off well (in the first set), and then we suffered from nerves and made some mistakes, and then we got even more tense. In the end we did come back, but by then it was too late.”
On the second set, he said: “We were tense as well, and by the time we got back, their lead was too big; it was very hard for us.”
“I think [Bukit Panjang] are very good. I think that they’re tough opponents, but it’s more fun playing tough opponents. We need to try harder to beat them. But I believe we can beat them. Based on our previous matches, and our friendly matches, our current performance is not bad. We have only lost once,” adde Jiong Han.
Prior to this match, both Bukit Panjang and Hwa Chong had gone undefeated in their respective groups in the first round. Hwa Chong had gone on to beat Shuqun Secondary in the semi-finals, while Bukit Panjang beat Clementi Town Secondary.
In the 3rd/4th placing match on Monday, Shuqun beat Clementi Town to finish third. The top four schools will proceed on to the National C Division Championship.
In the girls’ final, Nanyang Girls’ High faced off against Bukit Panjang’s girls’ team. Nanyang took the game to the third set, eventually beating Bukit Panjang. Nanyang are also the defending National champions.
Bukit Panjang Lineup
Jimmy Ong (#3), Xavier Yap (#4), Wong Khai Kit (#5), Luke Emmanuel Teo (#6), Tan Heng Long (#7), Ling Kuan Hur (#8), Ng Wee Liang (#11), Lam Jun Wei (#12), Yu Ming Jin (#13), Lee York Tat (#15), Jee Jin De (Captain, #16), Javin Ang (#18)
Hwa Chong Lineup
Sean Pang (#1), Gary Ng (#2), Kyle Yeung (#3), Pang Yong Ray (#5), Beckham Wee (#6), Tan Jiong Han (Captain, #7), Bryan Ang (#8), Wilson Ng (#9), Nicholas Kheng (#10), Ethan Goh (#11), Lee Xuan Hong (#12), Bob Lin (#13)
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