Nanyang Technological University, Tuesday, 13 January 2009 - Defending champions Temasek Polytechnic (TP) defeated Singapore Polytechnic (SP) 85-73 in overtime in a Group B IVP men’s basketball match at Nanyang Technological University.
Their third win in as many games ensured their progress into the semi-finals as group winners but not before earning the victory the hard way.
TP took the game to SP from the start as they outscored their opponents 23-10 in the first quarter.
Then it was TP’s turn to take over the show in the second quarter with his first seven points of the match as they eventually stretched their lead to 44-24 by half time.
At the heartbeat of TP free-flow offense was guard Jacob Folkoff. His creative players were instrumental in getting his teammates into optimum shooting positions while drawing the attention of the SP players to him.
Backs to the wall at the interval, a change in strategy for SP saw them mount a steady comeback in the second half.
SP led the charge of mowing down three pointers by sinking the first shot from outside the arc, sparking a 13-1 run midway into the third quarter.
SP was everywhere in the second half, from taking jump shots and lay ups with SP working as a team helping each other out in defensive blocks.
Going into the final quarter with the score at 56-45 to TP, the SP captain put in an impressive attacking display in the last period of regulation time.
His 15 points in the fourth quarter saw his side take the lead for the first time with six minutes left and set up a potential shock result of the tournament.
His inability to convert from the free-throw line was to be SP and his undoing, with only three successful throws out of eight attempts. That included the first of the final two free throws in the dying seconds that could have virtually won the match for the underdogs.
That prompted TP coach Tan Jingyang to call timeout with precious little time left on the clock to work on the set-up play.
The final attack of the quarter saw Mitchell Folkoff cleverly setting up the TP for the game-tying shot at 69-all, much to the disgust of SP coach Ng Loo Kuang.
Morale lifted from the great escape, TP sealed the match against their fast-tiring opponents with a 16-0 run for almost five minutes before two quick lay-ups in succession from SP ended the match at 85-73.
Donald Folkoff, father of TP siblings, was relieved the champions just had the job done. “They were lucky to have won tonight. They should have won in regulation time, when they were 20 points ahead, but they fell asleep."
“SP did very well and played very good ball, they must be disappointed not to win the match.”
Added Michael: “I am impressed by the quality of some of the players on display. It was an excellent and tough game for both sides."
“The SP coach did some great coaching at the break as the SP players came out and changed the way they played to close down the gap (in the second half).”
Meanwhile SP coach Ng was left wondering what could have been for SP. “I was happy and angry with the team tonight."
“Happy because they played well and matched one of the strongest teams of the tournament for much of the game. From losing 20 points in the first half, we did well to fight back to level terms."
“Angry because of the manner they lost the game in the last few moments. It became telling at overtime when we were physically exhausted and could no longer match TP."
“Nonetheless, very few teams can really match an opponent at a higher level as TP, and it all came down to the lack of experience and maturity in handling the crunch moments.”
His TP counterpart Tan was just glad his team made it to the latter stages with a game to spare. “In the second half we did not focus enough on SP’s new strategy,” he admitted.
“I gave everyone a chance on court today, but as the game became tighter, I put back my key players on court to try and salvage the situation."
“It was good that we did not give up even when we were trailing. In tight situation like this, I was happy the team was able to gel more.”