NYSI Bball: Fast-paced, balanced scoring in transition for RP as they take down NP

Story by Daniel Yeo/Red Sports. Photos by Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports.

Tng Zhi Cai (RP #37) surveys the floor in transition. He poured in a game-high 15 points in the victory. (Photo 1 © Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports)

Republic Polytechnic Sports Complex, Monday, July 9, 2018 — With the emphasis on transition scoring, a relentless Republic Polytechnic (RP) team tore through Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) 88–43 in the National Youth Sports Institute Basketball League.

RP are now 2–1 in the win-loss columns after their win, while NP drop to 1–3.

Leading the charge for RP was swingman Tng Zhi Cai (RP #37) – he sank three treys on the way to a game-high 15 points, and teammate Desmond Loh (RP #32) added 14 points of his own. For NP, Hsu Yao (NP #17) scored a team-high eight points.

Right from the get-go, RP took the fight to NP as Tan Cheng San (RP #9) scored on the game’s first possession. NP soon responded as Toshiro Murakami (NP #14) made a strong move inside for an and-one layup.

Both teams continued to trade buckets in an intensely contested first quarter, especially as both teams were playing a physical man-to-man defensive scheme. At its conclusion, they were tied at 16-apiece.

NP made a major change in the second quarter, switching up their defensive scheme from man-to-man coverage to a 2-3 zone. With this change, RP exploded for 29 points in the quarter, and the blowout was on.

This explosion could be attributed to Tng Zhi Cai’s (RP #37) multi-dimensional impact on the floor. Not only did he score eight of his 15 points in the quarter, he provided the playmaking for RP by drawing double-teams and making flashy passes to his teammates for assists.

RP went into the second half up by 16, but they were not slowing down, attempting to exploit NP’s zone defence to get out in transition and score easily on the fast-break. With RP Captain Desmond Loh (RP #32) scoring six straight throughout their run, they kept pushing the pace with another 23 points in the third quarter.

Not only that, but RP was finding ways to score in the half-court set as well. Finding the chink in the NP defence, RP found their way into the painted area, scoring repeatedly and drawing fouls to lengthen the lead.

Another stand-out performer in the second half was the two-way play of Mohamed Ismail (RP #11). With his length and verticality, not only could he score inside with his post moves, his interior defence was outstanding. Many a time, if RP’s bench was going wild, it may have been due to Ismail blocking yet another shot.

The fourth quarter was better for NP, as their perimeter defence pressed up on RP’s ball-handlers. This constant harassing caused the ball to be poked away multiple times, but NP was unable to convert on the other end, eventually scoring a mere six points in the quarter.

The game was over long before the final buzzer, but when it did sound, RP would take their second home win with an 88–43 victory over NP.

RP Captain, Desmond (RP #32), talked about how their game went: “At the start, we were quite cold, so we were a bit off. But gradually, we got the hang of it, and played pretty well…we started slow because we did not warm up properly and we did not have the right mentality.”

As for NP, Captain Bryan (NP #37) explained their mid-game switch-up: “Basically, this game was our first against this team, so we wanted to test out their strengths and weaknesses.”

When asked about how he thought it went, he replied: “I’d say it was okay, I wish we picked up some pointers, good or bad, from this game.”

In their next game, RP will be hosted by Temasek Polytechnic on July 16th, with tip-off at 8:45pm. NP’s next game has yet to be confirmed.

Scoring by Quarter
RP v NP
1st Q: 16–16
2nd Q: 29–13 (45–29)
3rd Q: 23–8 (68–37)
4th Q: 20–6 (88–43)

Leading Scorers
RP
Tng Zhi Cai (#37) – 15 points, 3 3PM
Desmond Loh Wai Kin (#32) – 14 points

NP
Hsu Yao (#17) – 8 points

RP Roster
Derek Chew Boon Kiat (#0), Eddy Chew Jun Wei (#1), Kerk Xuan Xian (#2), Bryan Wee Zi Yuan (#3), Prem Haran S/O B H Rajan (#5), Ng Zhi Hao (#6), Chew Hong Xiang (#7), Zhen Yuhui (#8), Tan Cheng Shan (#9), Seet Zhi Yun (#10), Mohamed Ismail (#11), Goh Jun Yung (#12), Abdul Rahman B Ali (#13), Fong Hao Seng (#15), Ang Chu Chock (#17), Jun Wen (#23), V Lavin Raj (#24), Desmond Loh Wai Kin (#32), Goh Jun Xian (#34), Tng Zhi Cai (#37), Alan Kwan Yi Hui

NP Roster
Daren Koay (#0), John Ang (#1), Chan Yao Yi (#2), Foo Fong Kee (#3), Victor Chua (#5), Saysay Erwin Pili (#6), Alagu Sundaram (#7), Sia Wei Hng (#8), Tan Guo Liang (#9), Tiah Min Feng Sean (#10), Tan Yong Lun (#13), Toshiro Kristen Murakami (#14), Lim Jun Jie (#15), Hsu Yao (#17), Lim Rui Min (#19), Wu Ming Ming (#21), Jon Emmanuel Abaniel (#24), Desmond Gan (#25), Lim Wang Shen (#29), Choo Jing Xian (#37)

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