RI 64 - 42 Geylang Serai

The 3rd and final game of the Milo Cup 1st round. Due to poor planning on the organizers part, our 1pm match was delayed to 2pm.

The opponents for this game was definitely weaker compared to our first 2 games. Nevertheless, we were still focused on the game as a lost would be totally unacceptable.

Our defense for this game was really poor. It is clear that we need to improve on our sliding because we only their player to single-handedly score a lay up after rebounding the ball. We did not force the opponents to the weaker hand and was never once over playing them on their strong hand.

Furthermore, we need to improve on our rebounding. We need to box-out hard, be aggressive and time the rebound. As a shorter team, we cannot expect to out jump the opponent for the rebound. Therefore, if we want to win any basketball game. All 5 players on the court have to box-out and get the rebound.

Remember when playing defense,

• No second chance for the opponent.
• No straight path to the basket for the opponents. Help defense is a must.

Hope to see an improvement in the 2nd round of the Milo Cup Tournament.

Scoring by Quarter:

1st Quarter-- RI 14 Geylang Serai 6

2nd Quarter-- RI 19 Geylang Serai 10

3rd Quarter-- RI 15 Geylang Serai 13

4th Quarter-- RI 18 Geylang Serai 13

RI 45 - 39 Eng Tat Hornets

The most crucial game in the first round of the Milo Cup Tournament. It was a do or die match. Not wanting to be eliminated in the first round of the tournament, we brought our A game.

We started off strong with our full court press. At the end of the quarter, we were leading by 10. Just what we wanted; a strong lead to break the opponents moral.

However, the 2nd quarter paled in comparison to the 1st quarter. Our offense was messy and the shots we took were all forced. In addition, we were not getting the rebounds. On offense, after taking a shot, the opponents got the rebound. However, on defense, after the opponents took a shot, they grabbed their own rebound repeatedly. The opponents probably doubled the number of shots taken compared to us. Moreover, we were making unnecessary fouls, and by the 5th minute mark, we were already in the penalty. Fortunately, our players managed to hold their grounds and we only lost by 2 points in the 2nd quarter.

In the 3rd quarter, the opponents stepped up their game. Their played stifling defense and it was really difficult to get a good shot. On the other end, they were grabbing countless offensive rebounds. Due not only to their aggressiveness but also to the lack of box-outs on our part. The opponents even came close to tie the game with us.

Fortunately in the 4th quarter, the opponents were too concentrated in their individual play and lacked passing. Furthermore they were not getting as many 3 pointers as compared to the 3rd quarter. This was probably because they centre started taking mid range shots. At the closing minutes, we grabbed crucial offensive rebounds and put-backs while the opponents made bad decisions, throwing the game away.

With the win, we would most likely move on to the 2nd round.

Some points to note.

• Do not make play defense with your hands. Move your feet!
• Box-out. As a short team, there is no way we can out-jump the opponents.

Points by quarter:

1st Quarter-- RI 17 Hornets 7

2nd Quarter-- RI 7 Hornets 9

3rd Quarter-- RI 4 Hornets 11

4th Quarter-- RI17 Hornets 7

RI 41 - 59 Paya Lebar CSC

Our first game in the Milo Cup. Definitely not the best start with the disappointing lost.

For those who do not know, Milo Cup has a few uncommon rules:

• Firstly, zone defense is strictly prohibited.
• Secondly, teams may not defend beyond the half court line after they score a basket. Meaning that they are only allowed to play a half-court man to man but not a full-court press.
• Lastly, only 6 players can play in the first and second quarter respectively. Meaning that a player who has played in the first quarter may not play in the second quarter. This rule is not applicable in the second half.

The implementation of the second rule was a real bane to us because we wanted to play a full-court press throughout the entire game. However, even when we were playing our full court press, we were not aggressive enough.

Furthermore, our help defense was extremely slow allowing man passes to be made to the centre.

Lastly, we were too weak on both the offensive and defensive boards. We did not box out, allowing the opponents to stroll to the paint and get the rebounds.

Definitely hope for an improvement in the 2nd and 3rd game or we may just be kicked out in the first round of the Milo Cup Tournament.

Scoring by quarter

1st Quarter-- RI 4 Paya Lebar 15

2nd Quarter-- RI 12 Paya Lebar 20

3rd Quarter-- RI 12 Paya Lebar 14

4th Quarter-- RI 13 Paya Lebar 10

RI 32 - 40 United World College

A tightly fought 4th game of the ISIBL Competition. Once again, the opponents were taller than us and our objective for the game was to prevent them from getting offensive rebounds. Although we tried very hard, the opponents still manages to get numerous offensive rebounds. On the bright side though, we played solid full court press and succeed to gain possession on the ball frequently.

Our next game will be against Presbyterian High tomorrow.