Temasek Polytechnic, Wenesday, 7 January 2009 - It was business as usual for home side Temasek Polytechnic (TP) men’s volleyball team as they thrashed Singapore Management University (SMU) in straight sets 25-10, 25-14, 25-9 in their Inter-Varsity Polytechnic volleyball Group A match.

The gulf in standards between the teams was obvious from the first ball played as the hosts demonstrated a stronger tactical understanding of the game.

They used that advantage with devastating effect as they mercilessly spiked their way past their opponents.

At the heartbeat of their powerful attacks was TP setter Edwin Yeo Chin Loong. His ability to read the game a few steps ahead of the opposition was crucial as he set up pinpoint assists for his teammates.

It was a similar story in all three sets as he often combined effectively with spikers Mark Leong Bao Wen, Alvin Lam Wei Liang and Goh Kian Hao to set up the final killer moves that left SMU wondering what had hit them.

Even when the visitors managed to briefly conjure a response and stage a mini-rally midway into the second set, the hosts raised the bar higher to regain initiative of the game.

SMU’s on-court struggle finally ended when Yeo set up for Leong to seal their match point in the final play of the game.

The result gave TP their second win in as many games, putting them in pole position to qualify for the last four.

But they were not done yet as they immediately embarked on an hour’s workout to fine tune their play for future matches.

Despite Yeo’s influential role in giving the defending champions victory, TP coach Yap Ah Kuan believed his best was still yet to come.

“Edwin could play better than he did tonight,” he said. “He was not in his best condition prior to the match as he missed some training sessions due to his work attachment.”

“As a setter, he is the coordinator between defence and attack and he has to work hard to regain what he was previously capable of when on-song.”

While Yap admitted the gap in quality between the teams was telling, he had faith his team would not fall into the lull of complacency after two wins.

“Like Edwin, some of the team are also on work attachment, so we have to take one game at a time.”

“The players are very hardworking, possess excellent attitude towards training and games and have very good chemistry with one another on and off the court.”

“While we are aiming for the semi-finals (as the first step towards retaining the title), we will take it one game at a time. Then we will take it from there once we reach the first target.”