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Basketballers Kelvin Lim and Nur Aufa Bin Emil Putra are the last men standing in the national 3×3 set up after parting ways with former Singapore Slingers teammates Delvin Goh, Tay Ding Loon and Xu Duanyang who will not be competing in the upcoming FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, having played in the last edition.
The squad has been refreshed with an injection of fresh new faces such as the Philippine-born Haribon “Hugo” Espinoza and teenager Liam Blakney.
From Benchwarmer to Leader
Having won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the 2015 National Basketball League final at 19, Lim knows what it means to be given competitive exposure as a fresh-faced athlete.
Having joined pro side Singapore Slingers early on in his career, the former monster rookie was able to compete against the region’s top clubs in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), a dream for many budding basketballers.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for Lim who struggled for consistent game time during his early days at the now-defunct club.
“I felt very happy that I was given the opportunity at a very young age… From there, I started off as a benchwarmer. Actually, I was in the bench for the first 6 years of my career. Then after that, I was slowly (able to get) my minutes.”
Hard work and perseverance were the secret to Lim’s tenure with the team and has also been with the national fold for 10 years (seven in 5-on-5 and three in 3×3).
But the 28-year-old “never expected to play basketball for this long”.
Switching Courts
A close shave came when the ABL went into dormancy, casting doubt on the careers of many professional basketballers who plied their trade in the league. But by a stroke of luck, Lim had earlier been scouted by current national team coach Lazar Rasic, who eventually extended an invitation for him to join the national 3×3 side.
However, the decision to return was not so straightforward for Lim who had transitioned to youth coaching and set up a basketball academy after calling time on his 5-on-5 career.
But, sharing that he still had the competitive hunger within, Lim said that it was through mutual understanding and compromise with coach Razic that gave him the final push to kickstart his playing career in 3×3.
“It was very difficult for me to juggle, but he was very understanding and he put himself in our shoes and he would try to work things out for us… At the end of the day, it’s mutual understanding,” Lim shared.
Having also been hampered by injuries during his playing career, including back-to-back meniscus tears that sidelined him during the 2017 SEA Games, Lim has had to endure a roller-coaster athletic career. But ever the optimist, Lim feels that this has helped him become a better captain to his fellow teammates as he can empathise with them, having been through challenges of his own as well.
“I understand the players in all kinds of phases because I was on the bench for the majority… fought my way up all the way, slowly getting more minutes. The pressure, the mindset, I have a good understanding on all these things. For me to communicate with the younger players, it’s easier,” Lim said.
Fresh Blood, Fresh Energy
Now, with hopes of sparking a career renaissance, Lim is upbeat about the team’s chances at the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup.
“Young players, they are really not scared. Also, the determination in them… Even for me, I get motivated by them because of their hustle, their energy on court. It’s a very different feeling,’ Lim added.
One of the young upstarts who is responsible for the new dynamic is Espinoza, who has been with the team for a year and a half and will make his debut in the competition should he make the squad.
The 24-year-old’s vigor is matched with his ambition, boldly setting the target of achieving a podium spot in the Asia Cup.
He will look to the home crowd to fuel him and his teammates in their endeavour.
“We’ve talked about it a lot – the pressure of playing on home court. But for us, we justy try to build off the energy from the crowd and guide each other. Whenever someone’s emotions are really high, we have to catch each other. I think that is our biggest strength because our chemistry this year has really improved compared to last year. We’ve always got each other’s backs.”
5-on-5 vs. 3×3: A Different Ball Game
Having also transitioned from 5-on-5, the La Salle Green Hills alumnus played varsity basketball in the Philippines before moving to Singapore with his family in 2018.
But if he had to choose between both formats, the choice is clear for Espinoza.
“I like to play a higher intensity basketball so 3×3 is way more fun, a lot more spacing compared to 5-on-5,” he explained.
With the year-end SEA Games and a series of challengers on the horizon for the national 3×3 team, motivation is aplenty for the duo who are still holding out hopes for a pro contract in the near future.
But for now, the focus is clear.
Just as captain Lim puts it, “One game at a time. FIBA Asia first.”
The FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup will take place from March 26 to 30 (Wed to Sun) at the OCBC Square at the Singapore Sports Hub with tickets still available on sale here. There is also free entry for the public for the first session of the first two days of the tournament.
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