Story and photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports.
Marco Kok (#8) of Republic Polytechnic shoots the ball against National University of Singapore. Kok finished with a game-high 25 points, including five from deep. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Singapore Polytechnic, Friday, February 2, 2018 — Sparked by a hot-shooting Marco Kok (#8) and a blistering fourth quarter, Republic Polytechnic (RP) defeated National University of Singapore (NUS) 72–64 to clinch their first Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship title since 2012.
Kok, who helped keep RP within striking distance throughout the match, finished with a game-high 25 points, including 15 from range.
“I think the most important thing for us in this match is that we did not give up,” said Kok, who is in his final year of studies at RP.
“This was the last game of the season and we knew that this was our last opportunity to win, so we just fought even when we were down.”
Kok had help from semi-final hero Zoel Lee (#7), who continued his clutch form with two treys from range in the fourth. Lee’s treys gave RP their first lead of the match, one that they did not relinquish.
“It’s been long since we’ve won the IVP title and for us, winning the POL-ITE title was not enough,” added Kok.
“Fortunately this year, on top of pushing ourselves harder during training, we have the additional help from Lavin, so it’s a good way to end the season.”
In the third place playoff match, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) made up for a poor semi-final showing and beat Temasek Polytechnic (TP) 77–67.
While TP’s lineup boasted a handful of up and coming players such as Muhammad Naqib (#20) and Terry Peter Lua (#9), the team’s lack of composure against a more experienced NTU team was the difference.
Led by Tok Jian Sheng (#0) and Kan Wei Huat (#8), who had 15 points apiece, NTU built a 13-point cushion at the half which eventually helped them clinch the bronze medal.
Scoring by quarters
TP vs NTU
1st Q: 17–25
2nd Q: 11–16 (28–41)
3rd Q: 17–15 (45–56)
4th Q: 22–21 (67–77)
NUS vs RP
1st Q: 17–10
2nd Q: 18–20 (35–30)
3rd Q: 18–16 (53–46)
4th Q: 11–26 (64–72)
Top scorers
TP
Muhammad Naqib (#20) — 15 points
Jordan Lee (#23) — 11 points
NTU
Tok Jian Sheng (#0) — 15 points
Kan Wei Huat (#8) — 15 points
Yiew Zhi Heng (#27) — 11 points
NUS
Lester Ng (#6) — 15 points
Clement Chan (#17) — 14 points
Chan Wai Hon (#10) — 10 points
Raymond Loo (#13) — 10 points
RP
Marco Kok (#8) — 25 points
Lavin Raj (#23) — 16 points
Andrew Tang (#0) — 12 points
TP Roster
Mohamed Shukri (#0), Dinesh Rajandhran (#2), Christian Pepito (#4), Terry Peter Lua (#9), Zhai Si Ming (#10), Sherman Seet (#11), Danon Chien (#15), Muhammad Naqib (#20), Clement Sim (#21), Jordan Lee (#23), Toh Jing Jie (#24), Eugene Chua (#25), Chaw Ji Keong (#77)
NTU Roster
Tok Jian Sheng (#0), Jabez Su (#3), Lyon Chia (#4), Rymond Neo (#5), Chun Wang Xuan (#6), Kan Wei Huat (#8), Brian Wong (#9), Ronald Yip (#11), Pek Yong Kang (#13), Tan Zhi Sen (#14), Liau Ming Shun (#17), Seah Chin Seng (#24), Justin Lim (#25), Yiew Zhi Heng (#27), Sean Hoo (#30)
NUS Roster
Terry Tan (#1), Johrathon Cheok (#2), Chan Chun Cheong (#4), Han Jun Seo (#5), Lester Ng (#6), Mohd Danish Han (#8), Auston Quek (#9), Chan Wai Hon (#10), Raymond Loo (#13), Leong Kai Yuan (#15), Clement Chan (#17), Dillon Low (#27), Goh Kong Tat (#66), Rola Oyekanmi (#88)
RP Roster
Andrew Tang (#0), Andy Yeow (#1), Tng Zhi Cai (#2), Ling Yoke Ming (#6), Zoel Lee (#7), Marco Kok (#8), Chan Jia Yuan (#9), Hiew Zi Jie (#10), Daniel Poh (#12), Hiew Zi Wei (#13), Abdul Rahman (#16), Goh Jun Xian (#20), Lavin Raj (#23), Eddy Chew (#29), Desmond Loh (#32)
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