VJC book place in semi-finals after convincing win over Anderson in A Division basketball

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

Singapore Basketball Centre, Friday, May 8, 2009 - Victoria Junior College claimed their second victory in the quarter-finals and made it through to the semi-finals of the boys’ A Division Basketball Championship after defeating Anderson Junior College 47-25.

Macus Yap (VJC #4), Wee Liang (VJC #7), Julian Low (VJC #15) combined for a total of 29 points in the win as they went on a strong run early in the game. Ang Wei Xian’s (AJC #4) game-high 13-point game was in vain as his team could not build on their earlier surprise win against Raffles Institution on Wednesday.

Victoria JC were off to a roaring start as they went on a 7-0 run. But Wei Xian (AJC #4) managed to pull two points back after a great assist from Chen Jia Hong (AJC #7). Anderson JC then went on a 4-0 run as they tried to come back into the game. Despite Wei Xian's (AJC #4) influential role with numerous blocked shots, it was not enough to stop Victoria JC from taking a 6-point lead by the end of the first quarter, with the score at 12-6.

In the second quarter, Anderson JC scored the first two points through Jia Hong (AJC #7) and that proved to be the only points for his team in the period. Victoria took over the scoring and went on a 10-0 run till the end of the second quarter. Macus (VJC #4) added six points for Victoria in the run.

Anderson JC turned on the heat in the third quarter as they managed to outscore Victoria JC 9-7. Wei Xian (AJC #4) was dominant as he scored all nine of his team’s points in the quarter after enduring a 7-0 run by Victoria JC at the start.

However, their mini-revival in the third quarter did not carry over to the fourth as Victoria JC kicked off the final period with great force. Ng Hui Wen's (VJC #8) 7-point game in the quarter, including one 3-pointer, inflicted greater damage on Anderson JC.

Julian Low (VJC #15) said after the game, "I thought we were lucky but we got a good start with a stronger defense, which was crucial to boost our morale for the game."

On meeting Innova JC in the semi-finals, he said, "We met them earlier in the first round and it was a narrow victory for us with a last-second shot. I guess we need to play hard against them (Innova JC)."

In another match, Raffles Institution had to survive a scare in the early stages of the game to overcome Temasek Junior College 30-27. They booked a place in the semi-finals with that narrow victory.

Match Statistics:

Scores by quarter
1st Q: VJC 12 AJC 6
2nd Q: VJC 10 AJC 2
3rd Q: VJC 7 AJC 9
4th Q: VJC 16 AJC 6

Top scorer
VJC
Macus Yap (#4) - 10 points
Julian Low (#15) - 10 points

AJC
Ang Wei Xian (#4) - 13 points