News

  • Nation
  • World Updates
  • Courts
  • Parliament
  • Columnists
  • Opinion
  • Honours List

Tuesday September 12, 2006

Ready for freestyle contest

By NG WEI LOON
Photos by NORAFIFI EHSAN

TWO buddies pitted against each other in a one-on-one elimination round.

Universiti Malaya education degree student Johnny Ong, 20, had to face the harsh reality of finishing second best against his close friend Andrew Yong, 19, in the round, in search of the top six performers at the fifth leg of the inaugural StarMetro In Search Freestylists competition.

It was by chance that the two former SMK Subang Utama students competed against each other in the event held at Subang Parade two months ago.

“It was a very close call against Johnny. Although we are close friends, both of us went all out for a win. Frankly, no one wanted to lose. It was sad that only one of us could get through. I was a surprise that I managed to edge him for the spot,” said Yong, a business degree student at Monash University in Sunway.

Ong (right) playing a trick on Johan.
“We have been playing together since we were in secondary school. Andrew anticipated all my moves. It was hard for me to pull the tricks off against him on that day,” added Ong.

While Yong advanced to be among the top 18 freestylists to qualify for the Grand Final scheduled at Berjaya Times Square on Sept 17, Ong had to make a last ditch effort to qualify at AND1 Streetball Challenge’s sixth leg held at Kuantan Parade in Pahang last month.

Top three freestylists were selected from each of the challenge’s first six legs for the Grand Final.

“I went to Kuantan with two other basketball friends – Johan Alam, 17, and Mohd Firdaus Marzuki, 17. Johan’s father (Purwaiz Alam) drove us there. We went there because it was our final chance to have a crack at qualifying,” said Ong.

Yong executing the “Matrix” as he rolls the ball around his shoulders.
Johan, who is a SMK USJ13 Form Five student also made the cut for the Grand Final.

“In fact, I was quite worried that I will have to face Johan in the one-on-one challenge. I felt relieved when we were drawn to face other opponents. It was a fruitful trip as both of us managed to qualify,” said Ong.

He took up basketball 10 years ago in East Lansing, Michigan (the United States), while his father was pursuing a PhD there.

“Freestyle is a different ball game compared to basketball. The one-minute introduction round during the competition allowed us to express ourselves on court with slick moves. It is fun competing because the crowd will be watching us in action,” said Ong.

His younger brother Alvin Ong, 12, is also showing potential in mastering the freestyle moves.

For the Grand Final, the group of young cagers who plays regularly at the USJ20 outdoor basketball court has taken the initiative to record footage of their court antics.

“Doing so has kept us motivated as we are looking forward to doing well at the Grand Final,” said Ong.

Meanwhile, Yong is working on his ball handling and shooting to prepare for the Grand Final.

“We realised that we are up against a very tough field of participants. We need to display fresh routines to impress the crowd,” said Yong.

JOHNNY ONG
Age: 20 years
Occupation: Education degree student (Universiti Malaya)
Height: 1.60m
Weight: 54kg
Favourite Move: Controlling the ball with the shirt
Favourite Freestylist: Skip 2 Mylou
Favourite Hip-hop Tune: It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Nas)
Favourite Hangout: Basketball court.

ANDREW YONG
Age: 19 years
Occupation: Business degree student (Monash University)
Height: 1.65m
Weight: 65kg
Favourite Move: Rolls
Favourite Freestylist: Headache
Favourite Hip-hop Group: Mobb Deep
Favourite Hangouts: University campus, Basketball court, AsiaCafe.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

News Poll