By Ian Chew
Despite close attention by the Purefoods defenders, Slinger Darren Ng top-scored with 23 points for his team on the back of three 3-pointers. His team edged out Purefoods 92-84 for their third successive win. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Singapore Indoor Stadium, Tuesday, Sept 30, 2008 – The Singapore Slingers survived a late fourth quarter onslaught by the visiting Philippines Purefoods team to maintain a perfect 3-0 record this season in front of 6,000 roaring spectators, itself a record turnout.
In what was their sternest test to date, the Slingers had to endure some typically tough physical defense from their opponents as well as a hostile crowd to hold on for a 92-84 win. Slinger Darren Ng coolly sank four free throws late in the fourth quarter for a game-high 23 points to help his team hang on.
It had not helped matters that the Slingers had just returned from an exhaustive road trip and had little preparation for the game.
“We played four competitive games in four days in a tournament in Taiwan last week and would have played the semi finals and final or third/fourth placing if not for the typhoon,” related head coach Gordon Mcleod of the team’s incredible foray to Hualien, Taiwan. “We had to take a train to the airport as the roads were flooded and eventually only reached Singapore at 5.30am this morning!”
Yet the home team looked anything but jaded in a sparkling first quarter when they outscored Purefoods 29-20 with a barrage of five 3-pointers. Darren displayed his shooting threat by scoring the first and last basket of the quarter from beyond the arc for 8 first quarter points, while teammate Blogoj Janev added another 7 points.
Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio did appear a little shell shocked at the sharpshooting accuracy of the home team, though his team managed a creditable 20-point reply through some good inside play. He did however, ring some key changes in the second quarter.
Out came the Philippines Basketball Association team with a decided more physical approach and it soon told on the Slingers as Purefoods went on a 10-7 run to close the gap. Slinger guard Darren was a marked man throughout the quarter, and it showed when he was hauled down by the Purefoods defense as he went for a breakaway layup. The incident almost resulted in an altercation between the players of both teams but fortunately, good sense prevailed.
The game-seasoned Slingers showed their experience at the end of the first half though as both Chris Daniel and Al Vergara shot quick successive three-pointers to lift their team to their biggest lead at 47-34 yet going into the half time break.
Purefoods captain K Raymundo then took on his team’s scoring burden and the entire Slinger defense by pouring in 10 points in a 16-11 run midway through the third quarter. Raymundo’s quick first step to the basket and accurate pull-up jumpers caused all sorts of headaches for the Slingers defenders as they rotated in vain to contain him.
The pattern of the game was becoming clear at this point though – anytime the visiting team rallied, the hosts had an answer. The answer came in the form of Slingers forward John Fitzgerald who burst into life with seven quick points to put the Slingers up 70-52 at the end of the third quarter for their biggest lead of the game thus far.
Purefoods were not about to roll over as their compatriots Air21 Express did before though. Egged on by a vociferous crowd, they clawed their way back to close the gap to a mere 4 points at one stage. Star Purefoods guard James Yap and captain Raymundo was ably supported by their team’s role players in a huge 30-16 run off an energetic full court defense throughout the quarter. The scoreboard showed 86-82 in the Slingers’ favor with just over a minute to go.
That last-gasp effort by Purefoods did not prove enough though.
A hotly disputed flagrant foul call on the Purefoods James Yap saw Slinger Darren Ng stepping up to the free throw line and calmly sinking all his attempts amidst the swirling controversy for a hard-fought 92-84 victory. A telling statistic for the game was at the three-point line where the home team converted 11 out of 20 attempts while the visitors downed only 4 of their 14 tries. In the end, the Slingers simply outshot a competitive Purefoods team.
“I am extremely proud of the character shown by the boys in view of what we have been through and pleased with the scoring contributions from all the players. Eric helped the team a lot in this game though he did appear a little rusty from not playing the entire week (due to a sore back),” said Slingers coach Gordon.
The next game though, against Sydney Spirit would be a different proposition altogether.
“They are a very good team, with a totally different playing style (compared to the PBA teams) that the Slingers have hosted so far,” he continued.
“The key thing now is to have a good rest!”
Al Vergara endured a hostile Filipino crowd last night but showed great court awareness and composure to score 12 points. (Photo 2 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Big Sam Harris goes for two against Purefoods, ending the game with 2 points. His biggest contribution is in his defensive play however. (Photo 3 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
A Purefoods player lines up the basket over the outstretched hands of Eric Sandrin. (Photo 4 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Slinger Chris Daniel dunks for two of his 10 points. A balanced team scoring by the Slingers enabled them to triumph against Purefoods, said coach Gordon McLeod. (Photo 5 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Highlights of the fourth quarter
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE0i1SvrJJs
Highlights of the third quarter
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5sG1YzJcdU
Highlights of the second quarter
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5-AD0mda3A
Highlights of the first quarter
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyWEBKBJEKs
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Slingers overcome stiff Philippines Air21 resistance to sweep basketball series
Expect a fiery rematch, says Slingers head coach Gordon McLeod
Phillppines' Air21 crash to high-flying Singapore Slingers in season opener
Singapore Slingers gear up for season's first test against Philippines' Air21 Express
Singapore Slingers are mostly composed af foreign players ,Purefoods was an all Filipino lineup, if Purefoods was against Singapore National Team they’ll school them till the game is over
I do recognize the fact that Slingers were excellent players. I was impressed because almost all (if not all) of them are 3-pointers. I have nothing against their winning.
My say was only about the refereeing. And i think the scores would have been a race if the refereeing were better. 😉
Hey Nina, did you know that the game is already over? Stop embarrassing yourself, the better team won.
I am more concerned about the cheerleaders. 6 months and no new routine?! 😀
the thing is in game you dont have to excuse human feelings and error refs should facilitate the game fairly and accordingly.
if they do have some mistake in one or two will going to take it but for officiating and ruining the whole game its not that excuse.
or are they fiba train or train as a security guard because as i see ref are guarding there calls on thier home team sucks…
they call thier self fiba trained.
I am totally agree with Ian. He is right…Please cool down everyone…It is just a game and please no blaming anymore…They are still human like us…sometimes will call some bad calls due to the difference angle of their views and jugdements.they are improving though…why dont we just give them more supports to boast up their confidence in officiating rather than just blaming them for their mistake?