By Tay Jun Wen/RED Sports
Alvin Yeo (Shuqun #3) rises above his blockers Muhammad Haiqal (Punggol #10) and Yeo Jie Feng (Punggol #9) to send the ball over with a spike. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Presbyterian High School, Monday, April 1, 2013 — In the final Round 2 game in the National B Division Boys Volleyball Championship, Punggol Secondary defeated Shuqun Secondary 2-0 (25–22, 25–15). This sent Punggol to the semi-finals but denied Shuqun of getting into top four.
Earlier games saw Punggol pick up four points by defeating Yishun Town Secondary 2–1 (22–25, 25–12, 25–18) and St. Hilda’s Secondary 2–1 (17–25, 25–20, 25–23). Adding today’s three points from their win over Shuqun, it puts Punggol at the top of Group X with seven points.
Previously, Shuqun had defeated Yishun Town 2–0 (25–20, 25–22) to pick up three points. They lost 0–2 (19–25, 22–25) to St. Hilda’s. Including today’s loss, they only accumulated three points. This placed them behind St. Hilda’s who already had four points and a game left to play.
The first set had an early tie at 2–2. Punggol then went on an astonishing six-point streak to lead 8–2. The six point lead was maintained till 9–3, where Shuqun scored three consecutive points to reduce the lead to three points (6–9).
The three-point lead was retained till 14–11. Punggol went on a three-point streak to extend the lead back to six (17–11). Still behind by six at 13–19, Shuqun responded with four straight points to reduce the deficit to two (17–19). Shuqun fought hard catch up and they eventually did at 22–22. However, three unanswered points by Punggol robbed Shuqun of the first set, 25–22.
The second set was tied at 1–1 before Punggol took an early 3–1 lead. However, it was quickly chased back by Shuqun to an even 5–5. Punggol scored two, triggering a one point response by Shuqun. Still Leading 7–6, Punggol went on a four-point streak to have a five point lead (11–6).
Punggol kept their lead till 16–11. Shuqun scored one more but Punggol retaliated with another unanswered four points. Punggol now led by eight points (20–12). The gap was maintained up till 21–13. Shuqun then scored one, only to be greeted three more by Punggol. Punggol were now 10 points (24–14) clear of Shuqun. Shuqun added another point before Punggol wrapped up the game at 25–15.
Punggol’s captain, Nigel Keh (#3), commented: “We did well and put in our best effort to win this. If we won, we would get into top four, which was our aim. We kept cheering to boost morale and did not get demoralised. Our covering and defence have to improve though.”
Having advanced into the semi-finals, Nigel felt that his team could do well if they put in their best effort.
Chang Chun-Chuan (#13), Shuqun’s captain, said: “Our opponents’ performance was good. We need to improve on our preparation before the game.”
In retrospect, Chun-Chuan felt that his team had learnt a lot of lessons.
He remarked: “In C Division, we were knocked out in the first round as we did not believe that we could achieve anything. However, in B Division, we became West Zone Champions. We have improved a lot in our personal characters and skills.”
Punggol will play against Xinmin Secondary in their semi-finals. It will be on April 3, 1.30 pm at Presbyterian High School.
Score by Sets
Punggol vs Shuqun
1st Set: 25–22
2nd Set: 25–15
Punggol Roster
Aloysius Keh Chen Han (#1), Nigel Keh Chen Hao (#3), Ngiam Yee Zhi (#5), Lee Wen Jun (#6), Chew Zhijie Melric (#7), Sebastian Yin Jia Jun (#8), Yeo Jie Feng (#9), Muhammad Haiqal Bin Mohamed A (#10), Loh Wei Hsuan (#11), Qin Tian (#12), Lloyd Goh Qi Xuan (#15), Chan Kei Jeral (#16), Goh Koon Tat (#17), Woo Ying Kang (#18)
Shuqun Roster
Sansalian John Harinel Sion (#1), Tan Yu Xuan (#2), Alvin Yeo Jie Xuan (#3), Neo Wei Xuan (#5), Lek Wei Chen (#6), Chase Tan Si Han (#7), Adrian Tan Wei Liang (#8), Loh Ye Li (#9), Muhammad Fadhli B Yusri (#10), Lau Wei Neng (#11), Pang Zhi Feng (#12), Chang Chun-Chuan (#13), Jarran Tay Yu Liang (#15), Frank Tan Jing Kai (#16)
More photos next page
Leave A Comment