Story by Daniel Yeo/Red Sports. Photos by Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports.
Vernen Lim (HCI #35) goes for a lay-up over the defense. He poured in a game-high 19 points in the victory. (Photo 1 © Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, May 2, 2018 — The two-way play of Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) got the job done with a 53–39 win over Temasek Junior College (TJC) in the second round of the National A Division Basketball Championship.
With this win, Hwa Chong now possess a 2-0 win-loss record in their quarter-final group. Conversely, Temasek JC have to improve on their 0-2 win-loss record if they want to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Hwa Chong were led by sharpshooter Vernen Lim (HCI #35), who sank three treys on his way to a game-high 19-point performance. Teammate Guan Xiao (HCI #12) also scored in double figures with 10 points.
For Temasek JC, both (TJC #13) and (TJC #14) scored a team-high six points.
From the get-go, Temasek JC and point guard (TJC #7) turned to the trusty pick-and-roll for their scoring chances.
Although it may have worked in the past, against the zone defences of other teams, Hwa Chong’s asphyxiating man-to-man defence would not allow them any breathing room in the first quarter.
It took four minutes for Hwa Chong to score their first basket, though, as nerves seemed to be getting the better of both teams.
However, thanks to some aggressive defence from Hwa Chong, where they repeatedly jumped into passing lanes for easy steals, Hwa Chong would build on their early lead.
Gaining momentum, Hwa Chong capped off their quarter with a highlight play, as Travis Thong (HCI #6) found Guan Xiao (HCI #12) on a sick bounce pass for the final two of their 13–0 run.
Into the second quarter, and finally, after twelve minutes of basketball, (TJC #7) banked in a three for his team’s first points.
This quarter saw the offensive schemes of both teams revealed very clearly: Temasek JC opted for a slower pace, working in the half-court set, while Hwa Chong looked to push the pace. Neither was able to gain the advantage, however, and both teams duked it out to each score 10 by the quarter’s end.
The third quarter was characterised by some beautiful ball movement from Hwa Chong. With an emphasis on perimeter shooting, Hwa Chong patiently probed the Temasek JC defence before making skip passes all around the court to find their open shooter.
At the forefront of this Hwa Chong charge was the two-way playmaking of Travis (HCI #6). Not only was he able to create for both his teammates and himself on the offensive end, he set an example on the defensive end by sticking to his man and forcing Temasek JC into turnovers.
Re-energised, teammates Chua Qi Wei (HCI #4) and Vernen Lim (HCI #35) joined in the fun with some fancy sequences. Qi Wei shook off his defender with a nasty crossover and finished past the help defence in the paint with a reverse layup. Vernen froze his defender with a fake behind-the-back pass on the fast-break for an easy layup.
By the end of the third quarter, one could tell that Temasek JC had no intention of staying in the gym. With the game already decided, Hwa Chong eased their foot off the gas to give their bench players more time on the hardwood, and a 53–39 win came soon after.
Despite the victory, Hwa Chong’s Vernen was critical of the team’s performance: “I think the team didn’t play our best today…I think we were really out of sorts today. Our offense wasn’t smooth, we didn’t get into the place or position we wanted. On defence, we weren’t communicating enough, we didn’t get the traps or stops that we wanted. We can definitely play better.”
Next, Hwa Chong will face Raffles Institution, while Temasek JC faces Meridian Junior College. Both matches will take place at Singapore Basketball Centre on May 4, with tip-off at 3:15pm.
Scoring by Quarter
Temasek Junior College v Hwa Chong Institution
1st Q: 0–13
2nd Q: 10–10 (10–23)
3rd Q: 14–19 (24–42)
4th Q: 15–11 (39–53)
Leading Scorers
Temasek Junior College
(#13) – 6 points
(#14) – 6 points
Hwa Chong Institution
Vernen Lim (#35) – 19 points, 3 3PM
Guan Xiao (#12) – 10 points
Temasek Junior College Roster
We asked for the team roster but were unable to obtain it. Please kindly leave a comment below if you know any of the players.
Hwa Chong Institution Roster
Ondre Tan (#2), Lin Yuan Xun (#3), Chua Qi Wei (#4), Travis Thong (#6), Kenneth Koh (#7), Chong Ke-Ming (#8), Wei Yong Xi (#10), Guan Xiao (#12), Shin Dong Hun (#18), Yan Wei Dong (#21), Kuan Jian Rong (#27), Vernen Lim (#35)
More photos next page
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