Singapore Slingers spring co-captaincy surprise

By Jan Lin/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

"Be surprised," the Slingers’ head coach Frank Arsego had said of his captaincy choice before their ABL season tipped off last Sunday. Staying true to his word, Arsego has unveiled a unique co-captaincy formula with Kyle Jeffers and Michael Wong sharing the honour.

“The decision went down to the team culture that we are trying to develop,” said Arsego, who also shared that the Slingers’ team culture is one that is underpinned by the three main ingredients of ‘Total Professionalism’, ‘Total Commitment’ and a ‘Work Ethic of Excellence’.

Arsego believes that the American import Kyle Jeffers embodies these team anchors.

“Kyle is a great selection because he leads by example, right from training, every opportunity we get together to train, he is enthusiastic, he is infectious, he likes to talk things up,” said Arsego.

“As our co-captain, I just want him to be himself,” Arsego asserted. “I want him to drive people at practice, he is very demanding at practice, to make sure people really push on.”

“I think I was chosen because coach likes what I have to bring to the table from the very beginning,” Jeffers responded. “I like to think that I work hard, do what the coaches say, try to be a good leader by example. So with all those things put together, I figured that the coaches feel that I was a good representative.”

When asked to describe his leadership style, Jeffers said unassumingly: “My leadership style is just to lead by example. I’ve taken many classes on leadership so I’ve a good idea of how it works and the responsibilities that are involved. Now its about executing them just like with everything.”

“Its just a great honour and a huge responsibility,” the 24-year-old added, “I definitely look forward to leading the team and being one of the voices. Its tough being a leader but I believe I can rise to the challenge.”

Shouldering the captaincy honour alongside the vivacious American is the perennial darling of Singapore’s basketball scene – Michael Wong.

“With Michael Wong, he is actually the national team coach and I think that is a reflection of someone who has worked with the local boys, and has gained respect from the local boys,” continued Arsego.

Summing up, the Australian said: “Two of them would come together to form a really good team leading by example and experience.”

Michael Wong was only told of his appointment the night before their ABL season opener. As he balances his dual-identities as a full-time educator at Hwa Chong Institution and a professional basketball player, the 30-year-old knows it comes with responsibilities.

“It’s an honour to be the co-captain but this comes with great responsibility, we have to be a role model to the team and to also build morale,” said the charismatic Singaporean. “My approach would be to be more vocal and encourage the team to stay with the team concept.”

Fans of the Singapore Slingers have also responded to the co-captaincy formula with great enthusiasm.

“Michael definitely has lots of experience. Not to mention he is a coach for the Hwa Chong basketball team, so (he) is a rather good choice,” commented a reader nicknamed ‘phileos’.

“Good selection by Arsego. Michael Wong is great, he is an experienced leader and communicator, and Jeffers will lift (the team) with the added recognition,” commended another regular reader with the pseudonym ‘Defence wins Games’.

“Arsego didn’t go for longevity and performance as his basis for the captaincy, but still that’s his choice and still has my respect,” said ‘Phildude’, who like the rest had participated in the live game commentary between the Slingers and the Barricudas.

But before the co-captaincy formula could sink in, Arsego then added a fine finishing touch to complete his surprise when he revealed the existence of a third “unofficial” captain in the name of Al Vergara.

“I would also say that, in some ways, Al Vergara is our court captain,” Arsego let out. “As our point guard, he is the coach’s voice. Not an official title, but that’s our relationship on court so all our players are learning to handle responsibilities apart from just playing the game.”

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