By REDintern Lim Yu-Han
Shaun (Unity #15) goes up against Tan Aik (Jurong #15). Shaun poured in 18 points to propel Unity to victory. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Jurong East Sports Hall, Thursday, April 18, 2013 — Unity Secondary claimed the National B Division Basketball Championship title after defeating Jurong Secondary 77–65 in the final. This was a repeat of the West Zone final where Unity had beaten Jurong 78–57.
Jurong had an impressive start to the game, captalizing on every opportunity whilst Unity seemed less prepared in their attacks. Jurong’s Hanhs Christian Pinero Ubanan (#9) sent the crowd wild with a well-timed block when Unity’s Jacinth Aban Figueroa (#5) tried for a basket. Captain Sim Jia Hao (#7) then went on to sink a beautiful baseline jumper for Jurong to extend their dominance. The duo continued to secure consecutive intercepts, to give Jurong a 6–2 lead at five minutes.
Jurong managed to grab most of their offensive rebounds in this quarter, with Chongyih Xuan (#12) putting in a basket despite strong contest in the paint. After a time-out called by Unity, Alvin Yuen (#7) blazed down the court single-handedly to convert a jumper. Unfazed, Jurong’s Hanhs (#9) simply returned the favour with a swift shot. Hanhs (#9) was vital in gaining possession for Jurong with his strong rebounding. Jason Chua (#11) of Jurong would score the last basket of the quarter to leave Unity trailing 10–14.
Two consecutive turnovers heralded the first 20 seconds of the second quarter, followed by Unity’s Shaun Ang (#15) executing a powerful spin to close the score gap. Jurong’s Hanhs (#9) came back with a three but Unity’s Jacinth (#5) retaliated with one of his own. Jurong had several successful intercepts but Unity soon gave them a scare by narrowing the deficit to just three points at 23–20. Jacinth (#5) of Unity sank in a trey to finally equalise 23–23, with teammate Jason Ong (#10) swinging Unity into the lead 27–25 with 34 seconds left. Jason (#10) went on to do a buzzer-beating fast-break to give Unity a 30–25 lead at half time.
The second half opened with Unity’s Shaun (#15) scoring his basket after a two-on-one contest. Teammate Jacinth (#5) then powered past defenders to send in a lay-up. Jurong’s inability to convert after several tough contests in the paint left them trailing 25–36 at seven minutes. A spirited Jia Hao (#7) from Jurong fought back valiantly with his consecutive epic lay-ups to reduce the gap to six points (32–38) at four minutes. Three consecutive intercepts by Jia Hao (#7) and Hanhs (#9) of Jurong assisted Sia Wei Hng (#8) in almost levelling at 38–40, with just 38 seconds left. However, in this short period, Unity centres stepped up with Shaun’s (#15) foul-in and Darryl Lee’s (#13) underbasket. Jason (#10) did his second buzzer-beater to give Unity a 47–38 lead.
Jurong chased hard once the last quarter began, with Hanhs (#9) forcing in a three despite pressure. Jia Hao (#7) and Wei Hng (#8) continued to narrow it to a four-point deficit with consecutive fast-breaks. However, Jacinth (#5) was undeterred in his fast-break and teammate Darryl (#13) secured his foul-in to give Unity an 11-point, 60–51 lead with five minutes remaining. Jacinth (#5) caused further upset to Jurong with his subsequent freethrows and three-pointer, extending their lead to 64–55 with four minutes left.
After Jurong called for a time-out, Wei Hng (#8) fought back with a three but Unity’s Alvin (#7) responded with his free throw. After a fierce contest in the paint, Darryl (#13) of Unity weaved through the Jurong wall to convert his underbasket. Jurong’s Wei Hng (#8) fouled out at 1:22 minutes and Unity’s Jason (#10) multiplied their frustration with both his free throws. Teammate Alvin (#7) spared no mercy with his consecutive lay-ups in the next 20 seconds.
Jurong’s Jia Hao (#7) put up an awe-inspiring fight with his own lay-up at 50 seconds and a last three-pointer with 17 seconds left ticking. Unfortunately, Shaun (#15) of Unity sealed their fate with a final basket to see Unity as national champs with a 77–65 win.
Unity’s Alvin Yuen (#7) commented: “We played quite well, it was up to expectations. Although the team was slow and out of sync at the start, we eventually settled down to win it.”
Jurong’s captain, Sim Jia Hao (#7), spoke surely and firmly. “We played our best and we had nothing to lose. Regardless of the results, we already played our very best and there is nothing to regret.”
Score by Quarter
Unity vs Jurong
1st Quarter: 10–14
2nd Quarter: 20–11 (30–25)
3rd Quarter: 17–13 (47–38)
4th Quarter: 30–27 (77–65)
Top Scorers
Unity
Darryl Lee (#13) — 19 points
Shaun Ang (#15) — 18 points
Jacinth Aban Figueroa (#5) — 16 points (3 x 3 pointers)
Jurong
Sim Jia Hao (#7) — 19 points (1 x 3 pointers)
Hanhs Christian Pinero Ubanan (#9) — 14 points (1 x 3 pointers)
Unity Roster
Foo Jun Lin (#4), Jacinth Aban Figueroa (#5), Foo Jun Jie (#6), Alvin Yuen (#7), Lee Ko Vic Ariel Nestor (#8), Pay Xuan Ju (#9), Jason Ong (#10), Shahrul Ramdum (#11), Lim Jin Kai (#12), Darryl Lee (#13), Leon Chin (#14), Shaun Ang (#15)
Jurong Roster
Eugene Yeong (#4), Edwin Lee (#5), Lee Jia Hui (#6), Sim Jia Hao (#7), Sia Wei Hng (#8), Hanhs Christian Pinero Ubanan (#9), Marcus Chua (#10), Jason Chua (#11), Chongyih Xuan (#12), Loke Yong Lum (#13), Mao Yuxian (#14), Tan Aik (#15)
2013 National B Division Boys’ Basketball Championship – full fixtures and results
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