By REDintern Emmanuel Phua
Lee Mao Quan (#10) of Hougang lays up against the challenge of Ng Bing Yao of Nee Soon. Mao Quan had a team-high 19 points while Bing Yao had a game-high 22 points. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Thursday, September 6, 2012 – Nee Soon U Sports gave no chances and steamrolled into the semi-final of the Singapore National Games basketball tournament with a 128-42 win over Hougang Team 2.
The men’s open basketball tournament began with the round of 32 on Saturday, September 1st. The main draw runs on a straight knockout format and Nee Soon will face Choa Chu Kang in the semi-finals after the latter beat Bukit Batok 68-51 in another quarter-final match.
Nee Soon were in control right from the start, reducing Hougang to limited shooting opportunities. It was clear that Nee Soon had the upper hand in terms of athleticism, in particular Qing De (#12), as they guarded Hougang and pressured them well.
Nee Soon could catch their own rebounds, pass the ball around and not make any costly mistakes. A superb 3-pointer by Zhulong (Houngang #24) reduced the deficit to eight at 12-20 but by the end of the first quarter, Hougang were trailing by 16 points at 12-28.
In the second quarter, the deficit widened to 25 points at 19-44 with 6:22 remaining. Hougang had no answer to Bing Yao (#10) who was always lurking to steal the ball and score.
With 5:00 remaining, a 3-pointer by Bing Yao (#10) extended the massive lead to 34 points (19-53). Forced to shoot under heavy pressure, Hougang walked off at half time trailing by 43 points (26-69).
The Nee Soon lead increased to 65 points (99-34) by the end of the third quarter and a 29-8 fourth-quarter performance wrapped it up 128-42 for Nee Soon U Sports.
Ng Bing Yao (#10) had a game-high 22 points and he was joined in double-digit territory by Edwin Tan Zhi Xiang (#9) with 18. Marc Palero (#7) and Larry Liew (#11) had 17 points each.
“I am satisfied with the win but expected more from my players in defence, especially in the fourth quarter,” said Chang Sian Guy, team manager for Nee Soon U Sports. “It was a rather smooth sailing and average performance overall. It was no surprise and we are expected to win by this margin.”
The semi-final between Nee Soon U Sports and Choa Chu Kang will take place on Saturday, September 8th, 5pm, at the Singapore Basketball Centre.
Score by Quarter
Nee Soon vs Hougang Team 2
1st Q: 28-12
2nd Q: 41-14 (69-26)
3rd Q: 30-8 (99-34)
4th Q: 29-8
Final Score: 128-42
Top Scorers
Nee Soon U Sports
Ng Bing Yao (#10) – 22 points
Edwin Tan Zhi Xiang (#9) – 18 points
Marc Francis J Palero – (#7) – 17 points
Larry Liew Hua Sen (#11) – 17 points
Hougang Team 2
Lee Mao Quan (#10) – 19 points
Nee Soon U Sports Roster
Pung Jia Wei (#1), Zhou Zhen Jie (#3), Marc Francis J Palero (#7), Edwin Tan Zhi Xiang (#9), Ng Bing Yao (#10), Larry Liew Hua Sen (#11), Wu Qing De (#12), Zhou Zhen Qiang (#13)
Hougang Team 2 Roster
Jolly Lauyon Honrales (#81), Lee Mao Quan (#10), Sim Wen Jie (#23), Jeremy Soh (#94), Toh Zhulong (#24), Guo Yi Bin (#1), Bong Kok Tiong (#13), Johnny Tan (#0)
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