Story by Tamara Lie/Red Sports. Photos by Chua Kai Yun and Ryan Lim/Red Sports.
Christian Co Pepito (NV #19) driving upcourt on a fast break. He bagged a game high of 23 points in the victory. (Photo 1 © Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports)
Jurong East Sports Hall, Friday, April 15, 2016 – Powerhouse North Vista Secondary (NV) led throughout and triumphed 80-53 over Dunman Secondary (DMN) to win the National B Division Basketball Championship.
This is the first National B Division title for North Vista.
Both schools also faced off in the final last year, and it was Dunman that emerged as champions in a close 76-74 match.
This was Dunman’s fifth final appearance in a row and they have emerged champions three times.
Christian Pepito (NV #19) led his team to victory with an impressive game-high 23 points, scoring five 3-pointers. Raymond Chu (DMN #14) and Mohamed Shukri (DMN #9) scored 15 and 14 points respectively.
The game started with North Vista bagging three points from a Sim Xuan (NV #2) 3-pointer. North Vista built a 9-0 lead before Mohamed Shukri (DMN #9) from Dunman scored the first basket for his team.
Dunman made a commendable effort to reduce the deficit with a Shukri (#9) 3-pointer and good fast break execution but were outclassed by North Vista’s sharp shooting. North Vista scored four 3-pointers in that quarter alone to end establish a 14-point, 25-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
North Vista displayed strong defence in the second quarter as they intercepted many passes and prevented Dunman from going near the basket. They also had an unstoppable offence, going for easy fast break layups and 3-point shots.
Koh Jun Hao (DMN #10) sank a 3-pointer to help Dunman bag nine points in the quarter. However, North Vista had double the points with 3-pointers of their own and ended the quarter leading 43-20.
Dunman started the second half with renewed determination as they upped their defence and got most of the defensive rebounds. They quickly capitalised on fast break baskets and went on a 7-0 run to reduce the North Vista lead to 16 points.
Christian Pepito (NV #19) ended the North Vista scoring slump with two consecutive treys, giving his team a 22-point, 57-35 lead. Both teams matched each other point for point till the end of the third where North Vista led 64-40.
In the final quarter, North Vista continued to control the game with their fast plays and tight defence. Their 3-point show ebbed, with just one 3-pointer from Dylan Toh (#5) in the quarter, yet they managed to outscore Dunman 16-13 to wrap up the 27-point, 80-53 victory.
Sim Xuan (NV #2), said, “The game was very emotional. It is our last time playing for North Vista and we’ve always wanted this win. To finally get it, it is just so emotional.”
Christian Pepito (NV #19), said, “We worked really hard for the win so I think it is very meaningful. Dunman played well, they gave us a tough fight.”
Scoring by Quarter
North Vista vs Dunman
1st Q: 25-11
2nd Q: 18-9 (43-20)
3rd Q: 21-20 (64-40)
4th Q: 16-13 (80-53)
Top Scorers
North Vista
Christian Co Pepito (#19) – 23 points (5 x 3-pointer)
Sim Xuan (#2) – 16 points (4 x 3-pointer)
Nicholas Tay (#6) – 13 points (2 x 3-pointer)
Dunman
Raymond Chu (#14) – 15 points
Mohamed Shukri (#9) – 14 points (1 x 3-pointer)
Gabriel Tan (#15) – 10 points
North Vista Roster
Lim Joe Yang (#1), Sim Xuan (#2), Tiong Chuan Yao (#3), Vincent Gerard Embay Bancod (#4), Dylan Toh (#5), Nicholas Tay Zhi Kang (#6), Cheng Ye Hui (#7), Samuel (#10), Reuben David Faustino Amado (#12), Christian Co Pepito (#19), Keith Tan Wei Long (#22), Dorian Chin Jun Long (#34)
Dunman Roster
Lim Wei Bin (#4), Steven Chang Hong Sie (#5), Ye Xinyu (#6), Benedict Ong Jun Rong (#7), Emmanuele Loza (#8), Mohamed Shukri (#9), Koh Jun Hao (#10), Jeffrey Chao Hao Jie (#11), Aloysius Lim Shao En (#12), Nigel Tan Qing Xiang (#13), Raymond Chu Siang (#14), Gabriel Tan Wee How (#15)
National B Division Basketball Championship – fixtures and results
More photos next page
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