BASKETBALL
Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games 2007
Semi-final 2
Temasek Polytechnic vs Nanyang Technological University
Tuesday, 16 October 2007 at NUS Sports and Recreation Centre
Story by Red Sports reader Ian Chew. Pictures by Red Sports reader Ng Cheng Cong.
With two seconds to go, Mitchell Folkoff (#16, TP) calmly sank two free throws to cap a remarkable comeback for his Temasek Polytechnic (TP) team. They came back from five points down with less than a minute to go to beat Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 80-79 in a dramatic semi-final match played at NUS last night. A last ditch long-range effort by NTU's captain Lim Bing Hui (#9) failed to connect as the distraught NTU players slumped to the ground in disbelief at the final whistle.
Mitchell Folkoff (in white) drives for two against Chan Tzu Xiong (#5, NTU). © Ng Cheng Cong
Earlier, a well-drilled NTU team almost punished TP for some sloppy defensive plays. NTU had clawed their way back from a 10-point 47-57 deficit towards the end of the third quarter to lead 79-71 with about a minute to go.
Raymond Xu (#14, NTU) was instrumental in his team's run during this period as he scored three three-pointers and a put back of a teammate's missed layup for 11 points. One of those baskets came spectacularly from way beyond the arc to put his team 77-71 up. Daryl (#96, NTU) also played particularly well, contributing 10 points during this period.
Ong Seng Huat’s (#91, TP) 11-point contribution in the fourth quarter helped secure victory. © Ng Cheng Cong
TP, on the other hand, failed to match the defensive intensity of NTU and almost paid the price with several uncharacteristic turnovers. Fortunately, the heroics of Mitchell and Ong Seng Huat (#91, TP) saved the team. Ong scored 11 points for his team in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers in the last two minutes to haul his team back into contention.
Chew Jinfeng (#6, NTU) finds his way blocked by Lin Cheng Yu (#2, TP). © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
A talented TP team had started the game brightly, with scoring contributions from several players to lead NTU 35-32 at the half. They extended the lead to 57-47 at one point towards the end of the third quarter, before NTU almost completed a famous comeback win.
However NTU couldn't hold on to their single point lead with 11 seconds to go, with centre Yang Quan Ju (#36, NTU) committing a crucial back-court turnover to gift possession back to TP. Mitchell was then fouled on the way to the basket and the rest is history.
Lim Bing Hui (#9, NTU) drives past Brian Tan (#11, TP) for a layup. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports
A relieved Mitchell could hardly believe that his team had won the game.
"I thought we were going to lose! We were very, very lucky to score the last few baskets to win the game," he said.
He was quick, however, to share the credit.
"It was a team effort and I couldn't have done it without my teammates. As for the upcoming final, we're happy to have home-court advantage. It'll definitely be a boost to play in front of our home crowd!"
Temasek Poly will face NUS in an absolutely cracking final on Friday, 19 October 07, 8:15pm, at Temasek Polytechnic. Both teams remain unbeaten so far in the competition. NYP will take on NTU in the third and fourth placing at 7pm.
See is believing. TP 80, NTU 79 at the buzzer. © Ng Cheng Cong
In the women’s semi-finals, ITE edged SMU 46-45 while NUS beat TP 53-38. The women’s final will be played on Friday, 19 October, 8:15pm at NUS. The third and fourth placing game between SMU and TP will be played at 7pm. (Uncle Les says: “After staying for the first men’s bball semi-finals, I went to catch the netball semi-finals but just missed the women’s bball semi-finals. Now someone please tell me – why do six semi-finals all have to be played at the same time on the same day?)
More pictures in the gallery.
TP
Lin Cheng Yu (#2)
Richard Teng Ngee Heng (#3)
Tan Kian Loong (#9)
Lim Min Jie (#10)
Brian Tan Xing Yu (#11)
Ong Si Hui (#12)
Mitchell Folkoff (#16)
Wang Jianwen (#17)
Jeryl Yee (#24)
Yeo Yu Song (#33)
Ng Hanbin (#45)
Yeo Zhi Kuang (#77)
Leonard Ong Guang Shan (#89)
Ong Seng Huat (#91)
Wu Zong Xuan (#99)
Coach: Tan Jing Yang
NTU
Tnee Hanxiu (#1)
Chen Zhanghao (#3)
Lim Jianliang (#4)
Chan Tzu Xiong (#5)
Chew Jinfeng (#6)
Oh Jinjie (#7)
Woo Wai Koong (#8)
Lim Bing Hui (#9, captain)
Lee Jianming (#11)
Raymond Xu (#14)
Yang Quanju (#36)
Yau Jin Quan (#51)
Daryl (#96)
[…] off a nail-biting last-gasp victory over National Technological University, the TP team will now focus on dealing with the twin threats of NUS key player Bandar Tjetty as […]
its Jeryl Yee not lee
6-7 finals on one night?!?!? Must be some night, Qman. 🙂
As I understand it for this year, four SMU netball girls got knocked out of the netball team because they were playing for the SMU BBALL team as well. SMU were in both the bball AND netball semi-finals which were played at the same time.
Thanks for helping me out guys.
Thanks A-fa for sharing that story for i was that sports officer who had to shuttle between jurong, tampines and paya lebar in within a couple of hours that fateful night!
Dear Uncle Les,
I know how you feel with 6 semis at the same time. 2years ago(academic year 2005/2006) they wonderfully made 6/7 finals played at the same time on the same day at various places in Singapore. – guys&girls basketball, floorball, volleyball and netball(if i not wrong)
This was the year that they decided to jam pack all the ivp within a period of time.In which,it wasn’t a good idea as 1 student might be playing for more than 1 type of IVP sport(how to divide his/herself??)
Imagine the horror of the sports officer who are in charge of more than 1 of the above mentioned sports! Singapore Sports Amazing Race. wooohooo~
Chill ok Uncle Les, we’ll try to help you in anyway that we could~yeah! =)
*not Trolkoff.
it’s Mitchell Folkoff, Trolkoff.