By Ian Chew
Hong Wei Jian’s (Slingers, #10) layup attempt gets denied by Jason Dixon (Patriots, #42). Weijian was only 1 of 4 from the field and saw just 16 minutes of action. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sunday, October 18, 2009 – The Slingers organization ought to be thankful for such a game early in the season.
They may have secured a win over the visiting Philippines Patriots, but not before receiving an almighty scare as their lead whittled away under intense Patriot pressure in the last few minutes.
The Slingers got their reprieve from the most unlikely of sources – an inbounds violation called on the Patriots at a most crucial moment by the Indonesian referee. Marcus Ng subsequently grabbed both points on the line to ensure a Slingers victory. Needless to say, the visitors were livid.
Yet the frustrations were by no means limited to the visitors, as both Slinger point guard Wong Wei Long and then forward Michael LeBlanc were slapped with uncharacteristic unsportsmanlike fouls in the fourth quarter.
It was a game that both sides badly wanted to win and it showed.
Match Verdict
The home win, though ugly and with a hint of controversy, was ultimately a fair result. The Slingers had a 48% field goal percentage for the game while the Patriots shot an abysmal 35% from the field.
Yet the poor shooting record of the visitors can be attributed to a steely Slinger defense that rotated quickly and industriously challenged every shot opportunity.
Play was sloppy at times with both teams committing more than 20 turnovers each but it definitely made for great entertainment for the fans from both sides who had much to cheer about.
Team Verdict
“It’s back to the drawing board,” declared Frank Arsego, head coach of the Slingers.
It is strange when a team of such calibre such as the Slingers struggles against a zone defense, but the main impediment must definitely be mental. Against a sudden switch to a zonal 2-3 defense by the Philippine Patriots in the second quarter, the Slingers offense had suddenly seemed hesitant and almost let slip a 9-point lead at that time.
It was the same story as the visiting Patriots went for broke late in the fourth with a full court man-to-man press. The Slingers again nearly let slip a comfortable 14-point lead through poor passing and offensive execution. The coaching staff now needs to ponder about how to deal with different tactical changes by their opponents.
Credit though to a hardworking Slinger defense, which is proving a hallmark of Frank Arsego’s coaching philosophy. The Patriots were restricted to just 42 points through the first three quarters.
Players Verdict
Kyle Jeffers, as usual, was solid and dependable at the post. His rebounding (12 rebounds in total) was a key reason for the Slingers victory. Add a 17-point contribution and you have a man-of-the-match performance right there. If there are any doubts, just ask his opposite number Dixon from the Patriots, who was tormented throughout the game just trying to contain him.
Al Vergara had his usual solid game, though he must rue his six turnovers and his free throw misses late in the game.
It was nice to see local Wong Wei Long add a touch of aggression to his game in addition to his recent increased points production (he scored two crucial back-to-back 3-pointers in the second quarter), but he needs to keep that aggression in check as well. He was fortunate to escape with an errant swing of the elbow in the third quarter on Patriot Christian Coronel.
Forwards Steven Khoo and Pathman filled in admirably for Kyle Jeffers when he was called for his fourth personal foul in the third quarter, but one Slinger that could step up is co-captain Michael Wong. He is capable of greater contribution and did have an off-day by his usual high standards.
View from the sidelines
A huge “MISS” sign paraded by a Slinger fan when the Patriot’s Dixon stepped up to the line succeeded in stirring up the home crowd! Hopefully that is a sign that fans are getting behind the team more as the season progresses.
Conclusion
A win is satisfying by any standards, and definitely one achieved against the Philippines Patriots. However, our players must learn to adapt to the rigours of professional basketball and this should prove a great learning experience.
Al Vergara (Slingers, #19) tries to round his opponent and break free from the arm lock. His six turnovers was a surprise. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Wong Wei Long (Slingers, #5) tries to stop Warren Ybanez (Patriots, #3) from progressing. Wei Long had a huge four-point play while hitting two straight 3-pointers to end the first half but lost his cool in the second with a wild elbow after provocation from Christian Coronel of the Patriots. (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Slingers co-captain Michael Wong (#11) tries to block Warren Ybanez’s pass. Michael was 0 for 3 in his 3-point attempts and saw only 10 minutes of game time. (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Steven Khoo (Slingers, #13) looks for a team mate while Jerwin Gaco (Patriots, #16) tries to intercept. Steven filled in admirably after Kyle Jeffers got into foul trouble in the third quarter with his fourth personal foul. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Michael LeBlanc (Slingers, #35) takes a shot. LeBlanc got called for an unsportsmanlike foul in the fourth. LeBlanc had the second highest points total with 15 and hit 6 of 13 field goal attempts. (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Kyle Jeffers (Slingers, #31) goes for a lay up. Jeffers led all scorers with 17 points and was 8 of 13 from the field. (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Pathman Matialakan (Slingers, #15) made good use of his 16 minutes of playing time, registering 8 points and sank 3 of 5 field goal attempts. (Photo 8 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
View first quarter highlights of the game:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq8Ix_acxK4
View third quarter highlights of the game:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbhjgsdlpck
View fourth quarter highlights of the game (Part 1):
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWDlxqt6vv8
View fourth quarter highlights of the game (Part 2):
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXGC_3zR-oM
Wainwright is actually a singaporean. Rumors has it that he born born in alexandra hospital while his parents were on a holiday here. That explains why he has to enlist for singapore army.
Wainwright is listed American on wiki. I think he is the Patriots’ heritage player like our Marcus Ng.
The unfortunate thing is that Jimmy’s weird comments here are more credible than the statements of some of our politicians back in the Philippines. How sad. =(
Rob Wainwright is deemed a Fil-Am (usually American with Filipino parents or grandparents).
@Jimmy – perhaps its time to check yourself in somewhere before you get more delusional?
@Slingerrocks
I think Wainwright is a bit like our football John Wilkinson or Alex Duric, i.e. genuine immigrants who happens to be professional sportsman. He is a Filippino, at least according to Wikipedia.
And moving forward to the next game away to Brunei, I’m a little bit concern as Geraldo Ramos seens to decide that hiding Francis Adriano on the bench as his hidden Aces seems to be a tactic and rotate him with his other foreigners. But whether it is “Kiko” or the other players who are “hidden” on the bench, it will present a different test to us compare to the first game.
@Jimmy
I can tell you’ve been trying to be entertaining and to thank you for tickling our readers, I’ll share some food-for-thought with you.
Darren will be playing in the NBL this Saturday night in Cairns while Marcus will be playing in the ABL this Saturday night in Brunei. As amazed as I am with plastic surgery, let’s see how the same person can appear in two places at one time, shall we? : )
The reason why you think marcus is not darren is because rumors has it that darren went for plastic surgery to become marcus. Actually, they are the SAME. That is why their height and weight are exactly the same. YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW ADVANCED PLASTIC SURGERY IS TODAY. That is why darren have to use his other hand to shoot to convince us that he is the younger brother. MARCUS IS DARREN, DARREN IS MARCUS……
MARCUS IS DARREN, DARREN IS MARCUS
@Jimmy
I would pay to watch you do a stand-up comedy, give me details ; )
@jan
That is just a gimmick by slingers to attract the crowd. Eventually, the slingers will expose marcus real identity as darren.This will certainly make slingers more popular. That explains why he have the same face as darren. There is no such person as marcus ng. go google The NGS family tree if you don’t believe. Darren is MARCUS. MARCUS is darren!!!!!!!!!
WAKE UP!
@jimmy arroyo: Having seen both Marcus Ng and Darren Ng up close, that would be some gimmick.
Whatever it is you’re smoking, better not do too much of it.
But I like your sense of humour, jimmy. Weird, but give us all something to talk about.
By the way, we’re still waiting to see the highlight reel of Prasad scoring 52 points against Ginebra you got stored away somewhere.
Wong Wei Long is a four-point play specialist. Even Kobe hasn’t achieved that in his entire career: two back-to-back games with three point foul-ins! And yes, Wong Wei Long is an exceptionally good shooter. One of the days, he is going to shoot the lights out! And please, the newspaper gotta report that.
I think there should be a game where Wong Wei Long would attempt 15 3 point shots. Making at least 7 of those would be a good headline in the newspaper. “Slinger Wong Wei Long sets 3-point record…”
If that does not interest local fans, I don’t know what will..
I think Wei Jian not scoring as much cos of the zone defense? Previously vs PBA teams, they use man-to-man?
Yea, Jason Dixon will not be anyway better. I think we should break out of the mentality that American Imports are always better. Look what happen to Rob Wainwrong (Opps, excuse me, I mean Rob Wainwright). As an American, he was practically useless throughout the entire scoring only 3 points. And who was defending him? Marcus Ng and Desmond. But I’ll still say K.J is the best import in the entire ABL.
@nameless
Dixon won’t be any better. His only asset is probably his size. He shot a pathetic percentage against both satria muda and the Slingers. He’s only good at two things:
– drawing fouls (got both theo little & kj in foul trouble)
– making free throws
Though a Slingers fan, I must say we were a lucky. Had Jason Dixon been a bit better we did be in trouble, especially with the foul trouble with Kyle and Marcus.
Looking at the Slingers stats, I would say the bench-players need to step up a little. So far only Pathman and Wei Long has manage to provide the scoring support, and we rely heavily on our imports for rebound.
For the Barracudas game, it’s worth to note that the Brunei coach seems to have drop the tactic of starting with 5 foreigners. Esmond Tan, a local player, has been starting in place of Francis Adriano instead for both the Dragons game. But they are still relying heavily on their imports, so as long as the Slingers keep them in check they should win the game on Sunday.
@Jimmy,
“RUmors that he hurt his right hand permanently that why he is shooting with his left.”
I’m sorry to say that you should probably consider changing your rumour-source as they’ve made a hugenormous error there. Slingers fans, and the NGs themselves will probably find this very funny.
Darren is in Adelaide playing for the 36ers in the NBL. Marcus is a leftie. Inmyhumbleopinion, they have v different playing styles and comparisons are unwarranted on basis of sibling-association.
Perhaps you (and your sources) should check out the Slingers’ foreign imports preview first – http://redhoops.com/2009/10/10/singapore-slingers-team-preview-foreign
: )
@Jimmy, are you stupid? That’s Marcus Ng, not Darren Ng.
WHy have darren ng from the slingers become so lousy. I thought he was a good shooter. RUmors that he hurt his right hand permanently that why he is shooting with his left.
It was a very very ‘messy’ game to say the least. Nevertheless, it was entertaining. All the best to the guys in Brunei!! We can’t be there physically but we’ll be cheering you guys on~