Written by: Darren Chia
Edited by: Jared Rajiv
Photos by: EusoffWorks
Our Basketball (M) team finished off their preliminary games against our next-door neighbors - Temasek. In a tightly contested game, this long-awaited face off between rivals promised a good fight between two strong teams seeking to set the tone going into the semi-finals, and it delivered.
Learning from the mistakes of the previous game, the Eusoff boys were resolved to start strong and show Temasek that they weren’t a team to be trifled with. Beh showed his paint presence by drawing first blood with a post up. He was then fouled for two free throws, easily converting both to give Eusoff an early 4-0 lead. For the rest of the quarter, it was just stop after stop, both teams meeting offense with even better defense. Temasek managed to make two shots, leaving it level at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was more of the same, both teams scoring 5 each, ending the quarter 9-9.
Jovi finding the mismatch down low and getting into the post with ease
Temasek were resurgent in the second half, racing to a 15-9 lead. Darren, this year’s captain immediately responded with a made 3-point shot, cutting the lead in half. The fourth quarter was by far the most eventful quarter of the game. Jovi made shooting from the arc look easy, converting two 3-point shots in succession. A series of back and forth between the two teams saw the score balloon to 30-27 when a timeout was called. Chuan Yao, the recent addition to the team, showed his hunger to win with two big scores, giving Eusoff a 31-30 lead. Temasek responded with three quick points, bringing the score to 33-31. Darren responded with an ice-cold three point shot, giving Eusoff a 34-33 lead. Unfortunately, a Temasek player was fouled on the returning stretch, promptly converting the free throws to finish the game 35-34 in favor of Temasek.
Chuan Yao rising up for the block to return shot to sender
Losses like these are tough. The Eusoff boys really gave it their all and it showed with that superb defensive performance. Where two strong teams clash in the way that they did today, it really is anyone’s game and today Eusoff was just the more unfortunate of the two. The guys will definitely take heart from such a well-fought contest and come back stronger in the semi-finals. As they say in the NBA - playoffs are a whole different ball-game.
Special mentions go to:
Beh, our resident Shaq. Our former Sports Director was hungry to win and it showed. In a sublime two-way performance, he scored almost every point in the first half and finished the game with a whopping six blocks. Talk about dominance. My pick for player of the game for sure.
Jovi, our former President (seems like this JCRC batch can really ball sia). He was just sharp in every aspect of his game, having a bunch of sick passes and slashes. He also showed his elite shooting prowess with a couple of nice 3-point shots.
Chuan Yao, who was a monster, especially on the defensive end. Check out the game video on the SMC insta to see him block the tallest TH player.
The guys will take on Kentridge in the semi-finals. Be sure to come down and give them your fullest support!
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