Home United Secured Second Win in NBL 2008

It was a night that almost turned out to be a giant killing night. Tong Whye, last year runner-up lost narrowly to Tagawa by 1 point while Min Yi put on a real fight in a exciting match which left a number of question marks at the end of the game.

All credits to Min Yi who fought hard and gave the champion a real fight. They came out playing more aggressive than Home United and much more eager to overturn the champion. But credits must be given to Home United as they were playing against 8 men on the court. The referees definitely made the match more interesting and exciting with their questionable calls against Home United.

Right from the starts, the referees were calling petty fouls against Home and were not consistence against Min Yi with the similar type of fouls they committed. The roller coaster match end up a tie, 27-27 at the end of 2nd quarter.

Things got worse during the 3rd and beginner of 4th quarter. More unbelievable calls were called against Home United. So much so that the crowd starts to jeer at the referees and players and Home officials from the bench reacted angrily at their calls. Well, what we got to say? This is the standard of Singapore Referees. Why are the referees reacting in this way? To make the match or tournament more exciting? It was until last minute in the last quarter that two of the “young” referees started to “notice” those fouls that Min Yi had been committed right from the beginning. What about the “senior” referee? Out of 22 decisions he made last night, only one is against Min Yi.

Home stood tall and eventually won the match 76-59. It could have been worst for Min Yi if the refs were consistence with their call. But credits should not be taken away for their fighting spirits.

Editor's personal note:
To the referees who officiate last night game. For whatsoever reasons for you to react, to officiate the way you did, you did not make the match exciting but you disgusted the game, you a shame and no integrity. It’s obvious, the crowd saw it and I bet you know it yourself. Shame on you, you stained the referee’s image and name.