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Singapore’s 3×3 cagers exited the FIBA Asia Cup with their heads held high after succumbing to a battling 19-21 defeat to a high-flying Japan led by red-hot Ryo Ozawa, who bagged 11 points, including four two-pointers.
A virtuoso performance from captain Kelvin Lim, who racked up seven points and eight rebounds, helped the Lions take the game to their much-favoured opponents but fell just short of masterminding a historic win.
Nursing a sprained ankle, Lim said: “I am so proud of the team, they hustled to the very end. This is their first FIBA Asia (Cup) and they played really courageously just like yesterday.”
The narrow quarterfinal loss on Sunday (Mar 30) in front of a packed OCBC Square meant Singapore were unable to surpass their best-ever finish in the tournament, having also reached the same stage in the 2023 edition.
“With coach (Lazar) Razic here for the past one year, you can see the difference in the team, the way we move, the way we run the plays, the way we had easy baskets. Today, we almost had a game, it was really close. In some situations, our team lacked experience. Most of (the opposition) are pro players in Japan,” Lim explained.
In front of a raucous home crowd waving flags and holding placards, the quartet fought bravely against superior opposition. After the final whistle, fans swarmed to the mixed zone where the players reciprocated their applause with high-fives and handshakes.
National head coach Razic made it a point to praise his charges in front of the adoring fans.
“Coach said that we played really well, according to the game plan and that he is proud of us,” Lim recounted.
“I want to thank all the people here. The way they supported us was amazing. This is something we need to keep in our mind as we prepare for the next competitions,” Razic said.
A topsy-turvy encounter reached its climax as Japan held a slim lead at 19-17, but a looping ball from Ryo, with the shot clock running down, put paid to the Lions’ hopes of progress.
“The guys did everything, they followed the game plan. Unfortunately, at the very last minute, we didn’t have the experience to finish the game in our (favour),” Razic said.
It was a dream start for the home team when Nur Aufa Emil Putra connected with a no-look cross-court pass from Lim and finished from outside of the arc to make it 3-1.
Ryo replied with a two-pointer of his own after a slick handoff from Yuki Nakanishi to take the game to 6-5 ahead of the first timeout.
Disaster struck for the home side when Lim crashed to the ground after pressure from Yuki caused him to land awkwardly. A lengthy pause ensued as Lim clutched his left ankle and writhed in pain on the court.
With an empty substitute bench due to Lim’s untimely exit, the trio of Hugo, Nur Aufa and Liam Blakney, were left to hold the fort.
“The three of us talked, and we talked about playing for Kelvin, because he has been carrying us all tournament. Our effort was always going to be there, even if we are tired,” Hugo said.
Referencing an iconic incident in the second game of the 2000 NBA Finals where Los Angeles Lakers star man Kobe Bryant suffered a left ankle injury but came back later in the series to lead his team to the championship, Lim said: “All these things went through my mind and I tried to stay strong and stay in the game.”
An inspired Lim returned to the fray less than a minute later to the vociferous cheers of fans and did not disappoint as he racked up five points while playing through the pain.
Singapore kept the pressure on their opponents all throughout, taking the tie to 17-17 with a minute left in the first period. However, Japanese marksman Ryo rose to the occasion with back-to-back two-pointers to close out the game.
“Matching up against Japan, size-wise, we are neck and neck. But again, they have a couple of really good players like (Ryo) Ozawa. He used his skills and experience to win us. But in the future, we have to be more composed in late-game situations,” Hugo said, after the unfortunate defeat.
“Game plan was to not let him get a rhythm, just always have a body with him and don’t jump in his jump shots…And at the end, that’s our mistake, my mistake. I jumped even though it was (not a clear-cut) foul. The referee can call it or not call it, but I shouldn’t take that risk. After that, he got two free throws, he saw the ball go in, he got his rhythm back and then he made a game-winning shot over us,” he lamented.
Though they will be smarting after the quarterfinal exit, coach Razic remained confident that the experience gained from the tournament would put the team in good stead ahead of a busy season and the Dec 7-19 SEA Games.
“At the very last minute, we didn’t have the experience to finish the game in our way. (This) is something that needs time and competitions like this (to) realise what is important in crucial moments (of the game)… It was a good game for us, a good experience. I think we need to grow up from this and then for next year, come (back with) the same energy and go further,” he said.
Over in the women’s tournament, Singapore finished bottom of Pool C after two losses to Japan (6-22) and regional foes Vietnam (10-21). Debutant Jermaine Lim finished as the team’s top points earner with five points, and captain Tang Choy Ting recorded a team-high nine rebounds.
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