Tennis (Semifinals) & Volleyball (Finals) : Match Report5 Aug 2009 »
Comment (5)Tennis (Deloitte vs EY)
The sun was scorching as our tennis team was about to open their campaign against EY in the semi-final last Monday. Up first were our 2 men singles of Ivan and Choong (who is also the team captain). Ivan gave the team a perfect start by steam rolling his opponent 2-0. While Ivan finished off his opponent in convincing fashion, Choong was struggling to find his rhythm instead. After losing the first set 2-6, the signs were not looking too bright for Team Deloitte. Despite the minor setback, Choong was not about to throw in the towel yet. He fought with a heart of a lion and came back strongly to clinch the next 2 sets. Perhaps it was the loud cheers from the supporters that gave Choong the last ounce of energy to soldier on despite suffering cramps at the end of the match.
With an overall 2-0 lead, Team Deloitte only needed to win 1 more match from the remaining Ladies Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles matches. Up next was our iron lady, Wen Ching and hopes was high for her to clinch the winning point for us. She started off brightly by clinching the first set. However, she looked out of sort in the second set as nervousness started to creep in. She committed too may unforced errors culminate with some unlucky shots, she lost the second set. Simultaneously on the next court both Ivan and Choong were playing their doubles match. The supporters were hoping either one of the ongoing matches would clinch it for Team Deloitte. The Men’s Doubles were quite closely contested as both pairs exchange shot after shot. Not intending to be outdone by her male counterparts, Wen Ching stepped up her game and played like there was no tomorrow. Without most of the supporters realizing she was up 4-0 in the last set of her match. Everyone could sense the smell of victory inching closer and closer to us. In no time, it was game, set and match Wen Ching and with that an unassailable 3-0 lead to Team Deloitte. Knowing that we have won the tie, Ivan and Choong chose to continue their game even though they could have given a walk-over but that is not the spirit of Deloitte sportspeople to do such thing. Despite both being physically tired from their singles matches earlier, our men prevailed like the true champions they are and the final score was 4-0 to Deloitte!
Despite suffering from severe cramps, Choong played on and delivered 2 crucial points to the team. A very fine example of leadership qualities in a captain. The team will be playing PwC for the title this Wednesday (August 5, 2009) and as mentioned by Choong himself; “It would be great if more supporters could come out and cheer for them.”
Volleyball (Finals) - Deloitte vs KPMG
No one knows exactly when was the last time Deloitte won the volleyball title or even have they won it before in the first place. But our Deloitte Spikers intend to create their own history as they stepped onto the court yesterday evening to face the mighty KPMG who has rule IAFG Volleyball for the last few years.
Rumours were rift that our earlier win against KPMG in the group stage was a fluke. Our spikers themselves know the truth. The stage was set for them to debunk this rumour once and for all. As expected, the venue was filled with supporters from both firms and the heat was building up.
Our spikers drew first blood in the first set by taking the first 2 points and started to increase their lead gradually. As expected, it was a closely contested set and KPMG was constantly hounding us from behind waiting and hoping for our team to commit unforced errors. Wait and wait as they may, our Spikers could not do anything wrong and was in fact pulling further ahead in the set. Before KPMG could do anything, our Spikers wrapped up the first set in convincing fashion. The second set was an exact replica of the first set. It was another set of cat and mouse game with KPMG being the one made to chase the game. Once again, our Spikers proved too strong and took the second set as well.
With a 2 nil lead, everyone thought KPMG would have given up hope as we head into the third set. But KPMG started the set vigorously and took the lead. This time it was our turn to chase the game instead. Perhaps it was still surreal for the players as they have never taken such a comfortable lead against KPMG in a volleyball match. Our Spikers fought hard and kept KPMG’s lead very minimal. At 24-21, KPMG was serving the set and to be honest, all the supporters thought that the set was a foregone conclusion but not our Spikers! With a twist of luck (some may say), our Spikers started a renaissance of a comeback of sort. To the delight of all, the score was suddenly 24 all! Both teams fought tooth and nail from there on and mind you there were some gut wrenching moments. But our Spikers fought like lions despite being down time after time and their hardwork and determination were duly rewarded.
The whole arena erupted as the final spike from KPMG went wide with the winning point being awarded to our Spikers! Our Spikers finally did it, to wrestle the IAFG Volleyball title right under the nose of KPMG and end our title drought. The final score was 25-20, 25-22 & 37-35 in favour of Deloitte Spikers! A very big shout out and thank you to all the partners/directors/managers and supporters that came all the way to NPNG Sports Centre to root for the Volleyball team. Your presence was definitely felt and we really appreciate it!
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