By Yvonne Yap/Red Sports
A Slinger fan holds up a ‘MISS’ sign to put off Benjamin Lim of the Barracudas. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sunday, 11 October 2009 – The Singapore Slingers started their ASEAN Basketball League campaign on the right note with a 87-69 victory over the Brunei Barracudas but the poor home crowd was a talking point.
The 1,100 crowd was made up of mainly Slingers fans, unlike the pre-season games involving the Filipino Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams.
Gabriel Chia, a regular at Slingers’ games, thought that even though the home crowd numbers were stronger today, the atmosphere was lacklustre as compared to the pre-season games.
“There were people [supporting the Slingers], but we have no culture of cheering. They sort of learnt how to cheer in the second half. We have to give it time,” he said.
Slinger Wong Wei Long also noted the poor support.
"I definitely expected more fans to show up, but it was telecast on TV, so that might be a reason for the lack of support. We were also playing against a Brunei side, so compared to the support for the Filipino teams, the crowd is smaller," he said.
Co-captain Michael Wong shared the same sentiments.
“I could hear the crowd shouting and cheering us on today, but I was hoping for a bigger turnout.”
The performance of the local Singaporeans in the Slinger squad though impressed some fans.
“They’re doing quite okay,” remarked Gordon Tay, a Red Sports ticket winner. “If more locals play it will be better, (it) takes the scoring load off the imports.”
He got his wish in the fourth quarter when five Singaporeans were on court for the final minutes of the game: Local co-captain Michael Wong, Steven Khoo, Pathman, Desmond Oh and Lim Wai Sian.
In addition, Wei Long and Pathman scored 14 and 10 points respectively, proving that the locals could contribute as much to the final score. Americans Michael LeBlanc and Kyle Jeffers led the scoring with 20 and 15 points.
“Everybody contributed a lot, not only the imports. I think the locals also did quite well too,” reflected Slinger Steven Khoo after their game.
Gordan Tay (right), one of the lucky winners of a pair of tickets for the Slinger game against the Barracudas in the Red Sports reader contest. (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
It’s 10 minutes before game time and the stadium is hardly filled. (Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Brunei Barracuda fans look disappointed after the loss against the Slingers. (Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
@Les: Thanks for the info of the offer! Unfortunately i’m overage and do not hold a student pass. Besides, i have already bought my tix and be at West side of the stadium with my lil bro (and yes, i think he qualifies for the promo!). I am anticipating a huge Filipino crowd and i have this feeling i’m going to be seated among them. hahaaa..
@Gordon: Will definitely join u guys the next time. This sunday, i will join you in voice and applause!
slingerrock, alvin & myself are behind gordan XD
@Lee yeah, good idea, maybe Redsports can start a Slinger banner contest, the winner will have his or her banner held up at the Red Sports corporate box. U wanna come along on sunday? Leave ur contact at my blog tagboard, I’ve been trying to gather as many people as possible.
By the way, i really like photo 1 with the ‘MISS’ sign. Well done whoever it was! We should have more banners and stuff!!
I was there last sunday and crowd was pretty subdued in the first half. Somehow, i feel the atmosphere was slightly better when slingers were playing in the oz league. Strange, if you ask me since this is a more ‘Singapore’ team than the one 2yrs ago.
Hey, maybe we should have sections of slinger fans sit together and maybe Gordon and gang can infect everyone with their craziness. Sometimes, organised groups will have greater impact!
I will be there this sunday again (and prepared to feel like the away team… LOL)! Go Slingers!!
@Lee: Go and buy a ticket for $6 at SISTIC if you have a student pass and if you tell them the password “RED SPORTS”. The tickets are for the gallery south seats.
This Sunday will probably be more crowded than last Sunday because it’s a Filipino team.
Slinger fans can sit together in the South gallery for fun and safety.
From that pic, 1100 is an inflated number.. more like 200-300 if lucky…
@Ben: The stadium is a 10,000 seater stadium. 1,100 looks pathetic in that stadium. At the national stadium, a 55,000 seater, 25,000 looks pathetic also.
3,000 at Toa Payoh Stadium is full house and rocking, 3,000 at indoor stadium is just ok.
so it’s relative to the size of the stadium.
@ James. Come join us! Me, Slingerrock and my little brother will definitely cheer (sometimes a little irritating but hey, that makes it fun right?)
very true!
How can I bring my friends along next time??