By REDintern Lim Yu-Han
Hanhs (Jurong #9) denies Bryan (Dunman #12) at the basket. Hanhs had a game-high 25 points to propel his team to victory. (Photo 1 © REDintern Lim Yong Teck)
Clementi Sports Hall, Monday, April 15, 2013 — Jurong Secondary entered the final after a 81–60 victory over Dunman Secondary in the semi-finals of the National B Division Basketball Championship.
Jurong opened the first quarter with a 6–0 run but Dunman’s Mohamed Yussoff (#15) halted it briefly with a jumper in the paint. Sim Jia Hao (#7) of Jurong made his foul-in count and extended their lead with a subsequent three. Dunman struggled to convert many shots whilst Jurong made the score with every opportunity, to close the first quarter leading 24–13.
It seemed to be a good start for Dunman in the second quarter with Nasrullah B. Suhairi’s (#9) basket, but Jurong answered with an immediate jumper. Dunman’s Gibson Tay (#8) did a back hook-shot and Yussoff (#15) a fast-break, but Lee Jia Hui (#6) of Jurong disappointed them with his accurate trey. Despite valiant efforts from Dunman’s Yussoff (#15) and Bryan Ng (#12) to find loopholes in the Jurong defence under the basket, Hanhs Christian Pinero Ubanan (#9) of Jurong sealed the quarter 37–27 with his fade-away.
Joel Chua (#14) of Dunman opened the second half with his basket, but Jurong responded swiftly with their three. Jurong’s Hanhs (#9) surprised his defender Yussoff (#15) with a successful three even under pressure, inspiring teammate Edwin Lee (#5) to score a fast-break and subsequent interceptions despite being up against the taller Dunman defenders. Jia Hao (#7) of Jurong put up a stellar performance with a jumper and consecutive fast-breaks, ending his combo with two continuous intercepts.
Both teams matched each other point for point on the scoreboards, with pointguards Xu Teck Chong (#5) of Dunman and Edwin (#5) of Jurong leading their team’s offence. Dunman still face an 18-point deficit when the quarter ended at 62–40 despite Joshua Alas’s (#7) buzzer beater.
Dunman’s Yussoff (#15) came back determined with a 6–0 run to open the last quarter, stepping up his team’s performance as Joshua (#7) scored thereafter. Despite Dunman’s Suhairi (#9) chasing hard with his free throws, Jia Hui (#6) of Jurong left their opponents dismayed with his speedy fast-breaks. Jia Hui (#6) went on to end the game 81–60 with his jumper, in Jurong’s favour.
Sim Jia Hao (#7), captain of Jurong, said: “We had a good start and really gave our best today. The game was a consolidation of what we learnt and trained. Our team spirit was especially good and that pulled us through the tough challenge Dunman gave us.”
Dunman’s captain Gibson Tay (#8) was disappointed. “This match was badly done and we didn’t show our fighting spirit,” said the captain.
Jurong will face Unity Secondary in the final on Thursday, April 18, 2013.
Score by Quarter
Jurong vs Dunman
1st Quarter: 24–13
2nd Quarter: 13–14 (37–27)
3rd Quarter: 25–13 (62–40)
4th Quarter: 19–20 (81–60)
Top Scorers
Jurong
Hanhs Christian Pinero Ubanan (#9) — 25 points (3 x 3 pointers)
Sim Jia Hao (#7) — 22 points (2 x 3 pointers)
Dunman
Mohamed Yussoff (#15) — 22 points
Jurong Roster
Eugene Yeong (#4), Edwin Lee (#5), Lee Jia Hui (#6), Sim Jia Hao (#7), Sia Wei Hng (#8), Hanhs Christian Pinero Ubanan (#9), Marcus Chua (#10), Jason Chua (#11), Chongyih Xuan (#12), Loke Yong Lum (#13), Mao Yuxian (#14), Tan Aik (#15)
Dunman Roster
Choo Tin Liang (#4), Xu Teck Chong (#5), Darien Mark Anonuevo (#6), Joshua Alas (#7), Gibson Tay (#8), Nasrullah B. Suhairi (#9), Tan Zhong Kuang Nicholas (#10), Kong Yiroon (#11), Ng Jian Shuo Bryan (#12), Tan Yi Rong (#13), Joel Chua Jun An (#14), Mohamed Yussoff (#15)
2013 National B Division Girls Basketball Championship — fixtures and results
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