By Les Tan, Koh Yizhe, Sherry Lim/Red Sports. Photos by Low Sze Sen/Red Sports
The Singapore Slingers in a buoyant mood as they start the second half with a commanding 40-26 lead over the Philippine Patriots. (Photo 1 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)
Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sunday, November 14, 2010 — As defeats go, the 87-85 loss by the Singapore Slingers to the visiting Philippine Patriots is about as heartbreaking as it gets.
The Slingers saw a 19-point lead melt like an ice sculpture under the hot tropical sun as the Patriots came alive in the third quarter.
Even setting a new record for 3-pointers in a single game meant little for Slinger Leo Avenido, who went 8-of-17 from long range.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I mean, it’s nothing really. All that matters is the team winning the game ultimately,” said a dejected Leo Avenido after the game. Avenido poured in 36 points in the game and played the whole 40 minutes.
With the Patriots losing Rasheim Wright to injury and Donald Little to foul trouble, the Slingers were facing an all-local Patriots team in overtime. Patriots head coach Louie Alas was pleased with what he saw.
“My locals played very well. [Ernesto] Billiones, especially, played big played down the stretch,” said Alas.
On the other hand, the Singapore locals blinked. Steven Khoo and Desmond Oh were on court in overtime but missed four field goals worth 10 points. The Singapore boys shot 2 of 18 against the Patriots.
“We need our locals to be more consistent. Sometimes they get a good game, sometimes they get a lousy game, but they need to be consistent,” said Slingers head coach Neo Beng Siang.
“We didn’t do well on our off-ball defense which allowed them to hit a couple of outside shots and that lifted their morale,” said Neo.
“Although individually, we may have hit the targets like Leo’s 36 points or Kyle’s 26 rebounds, but a loss is a loss. I think we did okay on defense, but offensively we were too conservative. We held the ball too long and some players are not confident on what they should do. It’s tough.”
Slinger Kyle Jeffers 26 rebounds was a game high with his team pulling down 59 to the Patriots’ 46. Patriot Donald Little had foul trouble and was limited to 14 boards.
“Our only problem is our defensive rebounding,” said Alas. “It was also Rasheim Wright’s first game. I don’t expect him to carry the team, but he can do a lot better. Unfortunately he pulled his hamstring.”
Despite beating them, Alas still thinks the Slingers will be there come playoff time.
“They are a very good and very capable team. They will be in the play-offs, no matter what,” added Alas.
Donald Little of the Philippine Patriots with ball in hand. Physically the tallest player on court, he ran into foul trouble, picking up his fourth in the second quarter and eventually fouling out early in the fourth. Little had 10 points and 14 rebounds. (Photo 2 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)
Slinger Marcus Skinner battles with Santiago Jr Cabatu (#1) of the Patriots for possession of the ball on the rebound. Skinner had 29 points while Cabatu notched 10. (Photo 3 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)
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Coach Neo : maybe if oyu play them more and dun pressure them by not shouting all the time. They might have more confidence > Pathman was a dominant center in the Asian Scene – he still has game . Instead you let Steven Khoo Shoot the 3 for you and he gives you no rebounds. Get pathman in to play more. Make more effort in getting possible the 3 best shooting guards in the country
1. Mike Wong – Old but still can scorch with the 3
2. KoH Meng Koon – Old But the MVP of the League
3. Mitch – You should know how good he is cos he held your all star studded Eng Tat(with a Malaysian) import to less then 40 points in the ABL
The Slingers literally and figuratively shot themselves in their own legs.
They just kept shooting 90% of the time from halftime till the end of the game.
“90% of games are won with the team having the most points in the paint” – Kevin Mchale