Phillppines’ Air21 crash to high-flying Singapore Slingers in season opener

By Ian Chew

It took a while for the Singapore Slingers to get going but there was no stopping the best local professional team once they got into their stride. The expected close contest developed instead into a blowout, with the Slingers going on a 66-40 second half rampage to rack up a 124-86 win over the Air21 Express, the league-leading team from the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) in front of 2,000 fans.

Slinger Darren Ng was the game’s top scorer with 28 points, including four 3-pointers. Yet the modest Australian Chinese doctor played down his achievements.

“We played fantastic defense as a team in the second half and managed to shut down opponents. We were really surprised by their physical inside play in the first quarter and took some time getting adjusted to their style of play,” he said.

In fact, the Slingers took all of the first quarter to settle down as Air21 took the early initiative. Air21 point guard Wynne Arboleda displayed telepathic understanding with his team’s forwards Doug Kramer and Homer Se to exploit a strangely hesitant Slingers defence. The “big three” players combined for 19 points to propel their team to a hard fought 32-28 first quarter lead.

Slingers head coach Gordon Mcleod must have had some choice words to say to his team during the break. His team looked totally transformed in the second quarter as they upped their defensive intensity a few notches. Air21’s offensive output immediately plummeted to 14 points as they struggled to find good scoring opportunities.

Gordon’s decision to field Blagoj Janev also proved an inspired one. Blagoj’s dominant performance in the paint proved a turning point for his team as he powered his way in for eight points in the quarter alone. Both Slingers forwards Eric Sandrin and Blagoj also crucially pulled down 13 defensive rebounds, restricting their opponents to single offensive chances.

The Slingers ended the first half with a 58-46 lead.

Sharpshooter Darren continued where the Slingers left off in the first half to score his team’s first 3-pointer of the third quarter. His 15-point output in that quarter alone, which consisted of quick drives to the basket, propelled his team to an unassailable 84-64 third quarter lead.

The mostly Filipino crowd at the stadium though enjoyed a brief rally by their hometown favourites when Air21 forward Arwind Santos scored on a spectacular alley oop dunk. He finished as his team’s top scorer with 28 points.

That too was quickly snuffed out as the Slingers closed out the game with a 40-22 run in the final quarter. The local team’s superior strength and fitness showed in the final stages, perhaps honed by their 12-game road trip prior to the game.

Slinger’s giant 2.2m centre Sam Harris’ introduction late in the game must also have added to the gloom of the visitors. Although his playing time was restricted, he still managed some spectacular plays, including a reverse dunk where he barely got off the ground.

The game though threatened to erupt into a free-for-all when Slingers’ Eric Sandrin was kicked in the head while falling to the ground. Fortunately good sense prevailed as the guilty party Homer was sent off the court for an early shower. Yet the Filipino’s actions probably mirrored his entire team’s frustrations at failing to perform up to their usual standards.

Air21’s centre Doug Kramer promised a better showing for Sunday’s rematch.

“We’re sorry we didn’t control our emotions well towards the end, but we’ll definitely be much more prepared for the next game. Cooler heads in our team will lead to better play!”

Expect fireworks as the Slingers take on Air21 again on Sunday at the Indoor Stadium at 4pm with more than just prize money at stake.