Story By REDintern Jiexin Neo. Photos by REDintern Rebekah Abbott
Remus (NYP #99) going for a lay-up with Zhen Qiang (RP #3) trying to stop him. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
NTU Sports and Recreation Centre, Tuesday, January 14, 2014 — Republic Polytechnic (RP) extended their lead against Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in a crucial final quarter to defeat NYP 65–59.
Zhou Zhen Qiang (RP #3) scored a game-high 24 points while Yeow Yong Chin (NYP #4) put in a team-high 18 points.
By the end of the first quarter, it was clear that it was going to be a close fight for the victory between RP and NYP. Both ends appeared to be evenly-matched as the quarter ended 19–17 to RP’s advantage.
Halfway into the second quarter, Remus’s (NYP #99) successful 3-point attempt triggered an impressive attacking streak from his teammates as they scored continuously with several good drive-in and underbasket efforts, making it a 12–3 scoring run only a few minutes into the start of the quarter. NYP continued the lead by drawing fouls in the key and converting most of their free throw chances. By the end of the first half, NYP were leading 35–29.
RP took on a furious start to the third, with the players taking many perimeter shots. They were clearly the dominant team and Zhen Qiang (RP #3) managed to score two 3-pointers, making NYP’s defence look uncoordinated and messy. The quarter ended with a tied score of 46–46.
The fourth commenced with quality defense and hard work from both sides, resulting in multiple steals and turnovers. As such the score remained stagnant at 46–46 two minutes into the quarter.
The breakthrough came after Qing De (RP #12) was fouled out. You Ren (NYP #1) scored thereafter, giving rise to the first lead in the final quarter.
However RP made a comeback when Nethanel (RP #5) managed to convert one of his free throws successfully, and when Wei Hao (RP #1) netted a three. The team never looked back then on.
NYP were playing the catch-up game but to no avail, as they could not make good use of their scoring opportunities despite many rebounds grabbed by Delvin (NYP #77).
In the final minutes, NYP committed numerous fouls and gave away free throw chances which brought in points for the RP side. Yong Chin (NYP #4) was also dismissed from the game after committing 5 personal fouls. Towards the end it was evident that the fouling out of Yong Chin (NYP #4) has taken its toll on the NYP side as RP were back into their game and they had no choice but to play to RP’s pace. In the end NYP were only able to put in 2 points, ending the game with the final score 65–59.
RP captain Nethanel (#5) said: “On the whole, in today’s game we were too rusty and weren’t playing our standards. At times we were rushing our plays. In the POL-ITE games we were supposed to be the better team, but in the first half we were all over the court, and were playing at their pace. Our aim for the next game is to take control of the game right from the start.”
NYP captain Kah Yong (#14) said: “Originally our game plan was to make use of our offensive player Yong Chin when Qing De was out of the game during the last quarter. But then Yong Chin got fouled out and we lost one of our attacking players. During the last four minutes we committed silly fouls and gave away many free throws. But I do think it was a good fight, as we lost 30 over points to RP in the POL-ITE games. In comparison I do think we’ve made good improvement today.”
Scoring by Quarter
RP vs NYP
1Q: 19–17
2Q: 10–18 (29–35)
3Q: 17–11 (46–46)
4Q: 19–13 (65–59)
Final score: 65–59
Top Scorers
RP
Zhou Zhen Qiang (#3) – 24 points (5 x 3 pointer)
Poh Wei Hao (#1) – 12 points (2 x 3 pointer)
NYP
Yeow Yong Chin (#4) – 18 points (1 x 3 pointer)
Remus Low (#99) – 11 points (1 x 3 pointer)
RP Roster
Poh Wei Hao (#1), Chua Deng Yu Daryl (#2), Zhou Zhen Qiang (#3), Gary Yeo Jun Yuan (#4), Ng Huai En Nethanel (#5), Huang Haojie Joseph (#6), Toh Qing Huang (#7), Lim Bryan (#8), Toh Wee Keong (#9), Gabriel Teh Zhong En (#10), Ong Jun Jie (#11), Wu Qing De (#12), Chua Wei Jian (#13), Lim Boon Kiat (#14), Sean Lim Han Ming (#15)
NYP Roster
Loh You Ren (#1), Loh Yi Ren (#2), Gordon Loy (#3), Yeow Yong Chin (#4), Ian Valentino (#7), Slyvester Foo Wei Jie (#9), Jerald Lim (#13), Ang Kah Yong (#14), Jason Tan (#23), Kenny Wong Ji Wei (#26), Lim Swee Hock (#29), Ng Wei Xiang (#66), Delvin Goh (#77), Wong Keng Yang (#88), Remus Low (#99)
More photos next page
Leave A Comment