Tagawa secured a 53-45 victory over Chong Hhee in the NBL on Wednesday evening, moving them closer to the top of the Singaporean table. The hosts had been favourites for this one and they showed why, though the margin was tighter than the scoreline suggests. We had given Tagawa a win at 51 per cent confidence, and they delivered when it mattered. The home side controlled tempo for most of the contest, only seeing the visitors fight back in the final quarter.
Chong Hhee started brighter than expected, taking an early lead through some sharp perimeter shooting. But Tagawa adjusted their defensive shape and began to cut off passing lanes. By then the momentum had shifted, and the hosts started to string together runs that pulled them clear. The visitors had nothing to lose at that stage and played with more freedom, which kept the game within reach.
The difference came in the paint. Tagawa's interior presence forced Chong Hhee into contested shots and turnovers they couldn't recover from. The away side tried to change shape at the break, throwing more energy into transition, but the hosts held their ground. It was a tight defensive battle where every possession counted.
With nine games played each, the home side now sit fifth with five wins while Chong Hhee remain sixth on four victories. The gap between them narrows to one place, and this result could prove significant come the playoffs. Neither side has suffered a heavy defeat this term, which speaks to the competitive nature of the league.
Tagawa's recent form has been steady — wins against Siglap and Tong Yi before that loss to SG Basketball. This result extends their winning run and puts them in a stronger position for the home-court advantage. Chong Hhee will need to find another gear if they want to close the gap before the final rounds.