Ynares Sports Arena, Philippines, Saturday, May 5, 2012 — The Singapore Slingers saw their playoff hopes disappear when they went down 84-90 to the Philippine Patriots in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).
The loss leaves the Slingers with an 8-11 win-loss record and they cannot catch the fourth-placed Indonesia Warriors who have a 11-9 record. Only the top four teams in the league qualify for the playoffs.
This is the first time in three ABL seasons that the Slingers have failed to make the playoffs.
Slinger Kyle Jeffers finished with a season-high 30 points and 15 rebounds and teammate Louis Graham had 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Patriot Anthony Johnson finished the game with 26 points and 9 rebounds while Nakiea Miller had a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The Patriots were down 53-64 in the fourth quarter with 9:45 left in the game after a basket from Louis Graham. Then Johnson, who only had six points through three quarters, came alive and sparked a 13-2 run, in which he contributed nine points, to make it 66-66 with 7:09 left.
Things got worse for the Slingers when Ardy Larong, Johnson, and Miller made three straight three-point shots to make it 81-69 with 4:01 left.
The Slingers did not give up. they managed to make a late 15-6 run which trimmed their deficit to 87-84 on a Graham free throw.
With 29 seconds left, the Slingers got the ball back after Al Vergara was charged with a five second violation. Unfortunately Jeffers, who had 25 points in the first half, was not able to tie the game with his three-point attempt. The Slingers was forced to foul Miller but he only managed to convert one out of his two free throws to make it 88-84 with 23 second left.
The Patriots secured their 15th win of the season after Slinger Don Dulay missed a three point shot and Johnson made two free throws with six seconds left on the clock.
The Slingers will play their next game against Malaysia Dragons on Wednesday, May 9th, at the MABA Stadium. Their final game is at home against the Indonesia Warriors on Sunday, May 13.
Scoring by Quarter
Patriots vs Slingers
1st Q: 13-22
2nd Q: 18-22 (31-44)
3rd Q: 22-18 (53-62)
4th Q: 37-22
Final Score: 90-84
Scorers
Patriots
Anthony Johnson – 26 pts, Nakiea Miller – 20 pts, Ardy Larong – 9 pts, Marcelino Arellano – 6 pts, Aldrech Ramos – 6 pts, Angelus Raymundo – 6 pts, Al Vergara– 5 pts, Robert Wainwright – 5 pts, Jonathan Fernandez – 3 pts, Frederick Rodriguez – 2 pts, Eddie Laure – 2 pts.
Slingers
Kyle Jeffers – 30 pts, Louis Graham – 20 pts, Don Dulay – 13 pts, Vaughn Canta – 6 pts, Wong Wei Long – 6 pts, Desmond Oh – 5 pts, Pathman Matialakan – 4 pts.
Leave A Comment