Ex-UM @ Carlsberg - Game #4 Recap

What a fantastic game we (Ex-UM) had last Friday (14 Jan 2011)‼ Facing a “must-win” game …

Ex-UM was in a group together with Lian Yew, Carlsberg, GVK and e-Globex. Our first game had been vs Lian Yew (whom we felt were the weakest team in the group) but, as is our tendency, we played poorly in our first game and lost to Lian Yew (59-68). We then lost to Carlsberg (whom we feel is the strongest team in our group and possibly even the tournament).

We then beat eGlobex (83-80) in another fantastic game (see earlier Game #3 Recap post) whilst eGlobex had defeated GVK earlier. On the assumption that Lian Yew loses to all other teams whilst Carlsberg wins all their games, that would mean that if we beat GVK in our final group match, Ex-UM, GVK and eGlobex will each have 2 wins – 2 losses. And since we would have beat both GVK and eGlobex, we would advance, regardless of the points differentials.

On the above scenario, all we needed against GVK was a win. Even a win by 1 point, we would advance.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?), we didn’t know that Lian Yew had actually beat eGlobex but lost to GVK (76-80). That means eGlobex was “out” (having lost to Carlsberg, Lian Yew and us) whilst, provided we win against GVK, the 3 teams with 2 wins-2 losses would be Ex-UM, Lian Yew and GVK! This means point differential would become important.

Lian Yew was at 68-59+76-80 = +5

GVK was at 80-76 = +4

Ex-UM was at 59-68 = -9‼

That meant for us to advance to the QF, we would have to win by at least 15 points‼!

That’s why I suggested “fortunately” we were unaware. Had we known from the beginning that we needed to win by 15 points and that we were effectively starting the game (against GVK) with a 0-15 score right from the tip-off, we might have been demoralized‼ As it is, we played “freely”.

To make matters even more challenging, when the game started, we only had 6 players present : myself, Phang, Bik Yih, Pin, Ming Lip & Leong! 2 of our younger / better players, Poh Guan and Ching were coming together on a motorbike and their bike had a flat tire enroute‼

GVK started the game well whilst our offense was “out-of-sync”, with ball movements not being fluid, Bik Yih making too many turnovers or getting his shots blocked inside and Ming Lip also repeatedly dribble driving into a crowd and getting his shot blocked and me missing all 3 of my early 3 point shots. Soon we were trailing 4-8 and I was getting nervous. If we fell behind by much more, we’d have a tough time catching up.

Fortunately, Pin was “hot” and Leong stepped up big for us from the bench. I hit a step in 2 point shot, Pin hits a 3 point shot, Leong hits 3 jump shots for 6 points and Pin hits a layup off a beautiful pass-cut / give & go, with Leong. Tied score 17-17 with 3 seconds to go in the 1^st quarter. But then our focus slips and GVK manages to score a layup in that 3 seconds! We end the 1^st quarter, down 17-19 and all 6 of us absolutely winded and running out of gas! Meantime, Poh Guan and Ching still hadn’t arrived yet.

We stayed calm (sucked it up!) and went into the 2^nd quarter with renewed focus. Bik Yih started to play great, staying away from the inside where he was out-sized, Ming Lip slowed down (by his standard!) and started playing with much better poise, Phang continued to distribute the ball great, Pin continued his hot shooting (from 3 and 2 point distances) and my 3 point shot finally starts to fall. We also started playing more aggressive defense, pulling and pushing aggressively especially on boxing out and keeping GVK to one-shot-per-possession only. We explode for 24-8 2^nd quarter … still with only the same 6 players‼ Half time lead : 41-27‼

At half time, Poh Guan and Ching (as well as Hung) arrives (finally)‼ Much needed player relief!

GVK goes into a pressuring man-to-man defense in the 3^rd quarter. Our quick / fast pace enable us to handle their defense well and we either scored or drew fouls. Though GVK scored, the continual fouls (by them) allowed us to continue to stay in front. We win the 3^rd quarter narrowly (20-17) (with 6 of the 20 points coming from made Free Throws) and still maintain a comfortable lead after 3 quarters : 61-39! All 20 points were scored by either Phang, Ming Lip or Ching.

GVK starts the final quarter going into a full court match up zone press. We initially struggle with it, committing many turnovers (a few of them by me!). I sub myself out but we still continue to struggle and turn the ball over. By the time I’m ready to re-enter the game, GVK had gone on a 12-0 run to start the 4^th quarter and draw within 7 points (61-54)‼ Immediately upon re-entering, Phang sets me up beautifully off a dribble drive / circle move for a 3 pointer that gives us a little breathing room (64-54). GVK answers immediately with a 3 pointer to close to 7 points again (64-57) but by now, we had adjusted to their zone press and started to break their press consistently. We start scoring steadily again, Poh Guan dribbles through the entire zone press and scores, Ming Lip scores on 2 fast breaks (one with an “And-1” that fouls out the opponents best player), Hung gets 2 steals and scores on break away fast breaks, Pin hits another 3 pointer after we break their press (yet again) and Phang scores on an offensive rebound and draws a foul for a 3-point-play.

We close the game with a commanding 19-5 run. Final score, we win : 83-62‼

Good thing we finished the game that strongly. Had we won (e.g.) by 7 points, we would have been “out”‼ As it is and very fortunately for us, we won by 21 points and therefore are through to the Quarter Finals‼ Well done and well played, Ex-UM‼!

Below is the score distribution:-

Ming Lip with 22 pts (9 2-pointers, 4-FTs)
Pin with 13 pts (2 2-pointers, 3 3-pointers)
Phang with 12 points (3 2-pointers, 6-FTs)
Ching with 12 points (5 2-pointers, 2-FTs)
Myself with 8 points (1 2-pointer, 2 3-pointers)
Leong with 6 points (3 2-pointers)
Bik Yih with 4 points (2 2-pointers)
Hung with 4 points (2 2-pointers)
Poh Guan with 2 points (1 2-pointer) and 4 fouls (in 2 quarters of play!!)