By REDintern Khairulnizam
Ng Hanbin (SIM #27) goes head-to-head with Wong Wei Long (NTU #27). Both play for the Singapore Slingers. Hanbin finished with a game-high 23 points while Wei Long had 11. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
NUS University Town EduSports Hall, Friday, February 1, 2013 — A final that kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout eventually saw the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) hold on to beat the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 57-54 in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship.
This was SIM’s first-ever IVP basketball championship title. For NTU, unbeaten all the way to the final, it was their third IVP final loss in a row.
Ng Hanbin (#27) had a game-high 23 points for SIM while Yap Ching Poh (#13) scored a team-high 22 points for NTU.
NTU topped their group after beating Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Temasek Polytechnic (TP), the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).
On the other hand, SIM, after beating group opponents Republic Polytechnic (RP), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and the Singapore Management University (SMU), succumbed to Singapore Polytechnic (SP) in their final game.
NTU then went on to overpower NP 63-48 in the semi-finals to qualify for the final. SIM scraped past their semi-finalist opponents, NUS, by only a point in a 58-57 win, to set up the final meeting with NTU.
An even first quarter saw the two teams tied 8-8 after the first 10 minutes.
The game continued to heat up as the players became increasingly physical in the second quarter. SIM then started to pull away at the halfway point of the second quarter to lead 17-10, forcing NTU to call a timeout.
However, NTU found their momentum towards the end of the second quarter, scoring three baskets in a row to take a 28-23 lead into the half-time break.
Their lead was short-lived though as SIM fought back to reclaim the lead at 33-30, forcing NTU into another timeout. The third quarter turned out to be key for SIM as they outscored NTU by a massive 22-5 to build a 13-point, 45-33 lead heading into the final quarter.
During the final quarter, SIM attempted to run down the clock, frustrating the NTU players and forcing them into committing fouls to earn free throws.
With two minutes left on the clock, NTU called for a timeout with SIM leading by nine points at 54-45.
A flurry of three-pointers from Yap Ching Poh (#13) and Wong Wei Long (#27) of NTU brought their team to within three points at 54-57.
With five seconds on the clock, the ball found its way to Wei Long. With time winding down, Wei Long tried a three-pointer that hit the inner rim and bounced back out. It was heartbreak for NTU as the buzzer sounded and the crowd erupted in a mix of anguish and ecstasy.
It was a memorable final for SIM, especially for Ron Teh (#6) the captain.
“We did well today and I’m glad for today’s result. We’ve come a long way, in fact, this is the first time SIM has ever entered the finals for basketball and of course our first win,” said a smiling Ron.
“Being the underdogs, we did not expect to win. But it’s a wonderful result,” added Ron.
Ron, who has been playing basketball since his time in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, mentioned that the best result he had achieved before this win was third place.
“I’ve waited five to six years and it has finally paid off! Never give up. What your mind believes, your body can achieve,” said Ron.
When quizzed on his team’s performance, NTU captain Yap Ching Poh (#13) said: “In the first half the offence wasn’t really working. We allowed our opponents to have too many offensive rebounds. We weren’t treating the ball well. Also, we were not used to the atmosphere at the start.”
“Still, I have to admit that SIM played a good game, fighting for every rebound and taking their chances. But we didn’t give up till the last minute, even when we were down by 10 points in the last 2 minutes.”
Assessing the team’s performance for the IVP, Ching Poh said: “We performed well and did a good job in my opinion. We won every match except for the final. My team and I have trained since December last year preparing for SUNIG (Singapore University Games) too. We’ve put in a lot of effort, but it was unlucky to end the season with a loss today.”
Ching Poh had some fighting words for his team.
“Continue to fight hard, we will get the title back. The race is still open.”
Scores by Quarter
NTU vs SIM
1st Q: 8-8
2nd Q: 20-15 (28-23)
3rd Q: 5-22 (33-45)
4th Q: 21-12 (54-57)
NTU Scorers
Yap Ching Poh (#13) — 22 points (2 x 3-pts)
Wong Wei Long (#27) — 11 points (2 x 3-pts)
Darren Liau Chang Feng (#10) — 9 points
Lim Wai Sian (#33) — 3 points
Teo Chun Hoe (#31) — 3 points
Donovan Tan Cheng Ye (#25) — 2 points
Wong Yong Kang (#15) — 2 points
Tan Wei Sheng Alvin (#17) — 2 points
SIM Scorers
Ng Hanbin (#27) — 23 points (1 x 3-pts)
Ron Teh Kai Yuan (#6) — 19 points
Edwin Low Kwok Heng (#1) — 6 points
Ken Owyon Zhi Xiang (#32) — 3 points
Ong Wei Lin Daniel (#18) — 2 points
Leung Wai Ming (#33) — 2 points
Raymond Choo Kok Wei (#20) — 2 points
NTU Roster
Wong Yong Kang (#15), Yap Ching Poh (#13), Darren Liau Chang Feng (#10), Teo Chun Hoe (#31), Kelvin Yeo Chee Wen (#21), Tan Wei Sheng Alvin (#17), Lim Wai Sian (#33), Wong Wei Long (#27), Donovan Tan Cheng Ye (#25), Zee Kin Meng Andrew (#14), Billy Lang Wai Lung (#24), Kuo Tzu Wei (#3)
SIM Roster
Lim Yong Teck (#22), Ron Teh Kai Yuan (#6), Wong Kok Yong Dallas (#23), Wong Kar Chuin Jason (#17), Jansen Koay Zhen Yen (#12), Daryl Seah Zee Hian (#9), Raymond Choo Kok Wei (#20), Ong Wei Lin Daniel (#18), Fu Weixiang Johnson (#0), Ng Hanbin (#27), Leung Wai Ming (#33), Phua Hong Yuan (#11), Ng Kah Siang (#15), Ken Owyong Zhi Xiang (#32), Edwin Low Kwok Heng (#1)
Leave A Comment