Stopping Bandar key to Temasek Poly retaining IVP title

BASKETBALL

Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games 2007

Story by Red Sports reader Ian Chew. Pictures by Leslie Tan. © Red Sports

Stop this man.

Bandar Tjetty lets fly with one of his trademark three-pointers against NTU in SUniG 07. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

That's the key to Temasek Polytechnic (TP) retaining the IVP basketball men's title, according to TP coach Tan Jing Yang.

Coming 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 well as coping with the zone defense, according to TP coach Tan Jing Yang.

"We were very fortunate to win the semis against NTU. I thought that we had lost the game when we went 8 points down with a minute to go. It was a miracle to win!" he exclaimed.

TP coach Tan Jing Yang speaking to the team during the semi-final against NTU. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Yet the final will present a different proposition altogether.

"We are certainly not underestimating the NUS team, although we are confident of retaining the title. We will definitely focus our attentions on Bandar and he can expect to be closely marked by our players throughout the game."

And that's not all for TP's preparations.

"In addition, we will focus our subsequent training sessions on coping with their unique zone defense. Their defense has been instrumental to their success so far in the competition."

TP will hope that Mitchell Folkoff (in white) can will have a standout game against NUS tomorrow night. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

The talented Temasek Polytechnic team should be favourites to retain the title, especially since they are playing on their home ground this Friday evening.

However, with the team spirit and morale of the NUS team currently, anything can happen, especially in a final!

Go watch the final or keep watching this site for more updates of the final.

Have Temasek Polytechnic lined up the title with the right game plan? © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

More IVP basketball pictures in the gallery.