Hwa Chong Institution revive campaign with win over Jurong JC in A Division basketball quarter-finals

Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Singapore Basketball Centre, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - Defending champions Hwa Chong Institution fended off Jurong Junior College to claim their first quarter-final win 64-44 in the boys’ A Division Basketball Championship.

Hwa Chong Institution preserved their chance to hold on to their championship title after a convincing victory against a Jurong JC side that had thrashed Millennia Institute in an earlier match. Hwa Chong had to make up for their shock loss against Innova Junior College previously in order to get a shot at their fourth consecutive championship title.

Hwa Chong were made to work hard as Jurong JC were off to a bright start with Lim Yong Keong (JJC #7) making the first 3-pointer of the game and got the crowds rocking. Both teams exchange the lead throughout the first quarter.

With 2:17 remaining, Hwa Chong coach called for a time-out. That was a vital summon as Hwa Chong began to shoot confidently till the end of the first quarter to lead by two precious points, 13-11.

Hwa Chong increased their lead in the second quarter through key performer Chiam Hong Yao (#9). He terrorized Jurong JC's defense with his ball skills and Hwa Chong maintained an eight-point lead at 22-14.

With 6:30 left, the Jurong JC coach had to call for a time-out to stop to Hwa Chong's play. The call had an immediate effect on Gog Bing Kun (JJC #4) and Sim Yi Fan (JJC #11) as both of them drilled in big shots from the outside line to reduce the deficit to two points.

However, matters did not go their way as Zhang Hanqing (JJC #12) collected his third foul on Hong Yao (HCI #9). Taking full advantage of the centre's absence, Hwa Chong attacked the basket and extended their lead to nine points with several magnificent solo efforts from Hong Yao (HCI #9) and a 3-pointer from Chester Leow (HCI #11).

But Jurong JC coach still brought Hanqing (#12) on to fight for points in the dying seconds of the second quarter. He did just that as he contributed two points in the paint to cut the lead to seven points at half-time.

Things just did not go Jurong JC's way as they ran out of steam in the third quarter which allowed Hwa Chong to break away to a 16-point lead. Hong Yao (HCI #9) was the main contributor in the third quarter with seven points.

In the final quarter, Jurong JC wasted numerous chances to come back into the match. Their turnovers permitted Hwa Chong to take a huge 20-point lead. It was almost impossible for Jurong JC to responsd as Hwa Chong signed off the game with a resounding victory.

Chiam Hong Yao (HCI #9), who had a 24-point game for Hwa Chong said, "It's not about me. It is more about the team as we showed more energy in this game (against Jurong JC)."

He was caught off-guard by Innova JC earlier on Monday. "They shocked us. They played hard and that was the wake-up call for us."

Hwa Chong will need a big win against Millennia Institute this coming Friday to stand a chance of defending their title while Jurong JC also have to conquer Innova JC in order to advance in this competition.

On the other court, Innova JC is the first team to advance to the semi-finals after defeating Millennia Institute 64-30 in a one-sided affair.

Match Statistics
Scores by quarter
1st Q: JJC 11 HCI 13
2nd Q: JJC 15 HCI 20
3rd Q: JJC 8 HCI 15
4th Q: JJC 10 HCI 14

Top scorers
Chiam Hong Yao (HCI #9) - 24 points
Yap Ching Poh (HCI #13) - 15 points
Lim Yong Keong (JJC #7) - 10 points
Goh Bing Kun (JJC #4) - 9 points

View fourth quarter highlights of the game:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjPSOZy1SOY