Singapore Slingers give local basketball fans cheer with first pre-season victory

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei and Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Friday, September 18, 2009 – Basketball fans got a taste of what is to come in the upcoming ASEAN Basketball League season when the new-look Singapore Slingers pulled out a comfortable 93-85 victory over the Coca-Cola Tigers.

The Slingers were missing American Michael LeBlanc and Singaporean Wong Wei Long but the rest of the team more than made up for their absence. Al Vergara was the hero for the local side with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists as he led the scoring for the Slingers. Hong Wei Jian also contributed 12 points while Kyle Jeffers added another 14.

Slingers' guard Desmond Oh said after the match, "Al Vergara was the best player for our team today. When we needed to pass the ball, he was there. When we needed to score, he came through as well."

Despite a slow start, the Slingers were extremely impressive during the first half with foreigners Kyle Jeffers and Al Vergara linking up well. Vergara also got the crowd going with a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the second quarter.

Although they allowed their larger opponents back into the game in the third quarter, the home team held out for the victory.

From the fans' reaction, they are loving the all-intense action on the court.

Carrie Soo, winner of the Red Sports corporate box seats, was pleased with the Slingers’ performance.

"The Slingers were excellent! They stood out for the first two quarters, but I believe they got a bit tired in the third quarter. The Singaporean players were also impressive."

Even Botak Jones owner and Detroit Pistons fan Bernie Utchenik was at court side to witness the Slingers’ first game of the pre-season. It was also his first Slingers game.

"It is the first game for the Slingers (of the season) so it is expectedly a bit rough, but from the look of things, they are playing well. There are a few go-to guys to rely on and they have the makings of a good team. Jamal Brown stood out for me, but I would like to see more movement from (Kyle) Jeffers and Pathman Matialakan."

He also commented on the new ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

"The ABL is a great idea! It gives Singaporeans something to be proud off instead of Liverpool or Manchester United. It would be great if they could be publicised more so the heartlands would know all the names of the players."

The neutrals also thought the Slingers were the better team on the night.

"The Coca-Cola Tigers played well, but the Slingers are outstanding!" said Zoh Yew Itua, a Singapore Polytechnic student. "Jeffers [was] the best player on court and it seems like the Slingers' plans were well executed."

While fans were glad with the Slingers' performance, Desmond Oh felt there was much more to be desired from fans.

"The fan support could definitely be better. Hopefully, as the season goes on, more people will support the team."

The Slingers will next play Smart Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippines national team developmental squad, in their second match of the pre-season. So come down to the Singapore Indoor Stadium to support the Slingers on Wednesday, 23rd September.