Probably one of the most pulstating clash to happen in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the Singapore Slingers got the better of their Thai compatriots to run out 69-66 winners after some terrific play by Kyle Jeffers, Michael Le Blanc and yes, Marcus Ng (finally!).
The game started with KJ winning the tip-off and the Tigers looking to continue from the win over the Slingers at same ground 10 days ago. The Slingers were somewhat in a slump prior to this game, holding a 1-4 record - with the sole win being a come from behind victory over Satria Muda in Indonesia.
Marcus Ng was lively, winning every ball and getting defensive rebounds to launch attacks down the flanks of the court. And so was KJ and MLB, with the former still trying to shake off a twisted ankle and the latter hoping to better his 6-point haul in the previous game - all 6 points coming from the charity strip. Al-V was at his usual commanding best as he trys to hold off the offensive trio of Attaporn, Piyapong and one of the best 3-pointers player in Ratdech Kruatiwa.
In fact, the worst personnel in the Home team was the stand-in emcee - who looked very lost and does not even look like being able to arouse the home crowd to a cheering mode. It wasn't help when he make wrong calls like the STARTING 5 - as Hong Wei Jian was in it rather than Desmond Oh, pronouncing players' names wrongly by calling Michael Le Blanc "Michale Le Bark", Al-Vergera "Avacado" and the worst kind of call would be to call shots wrongly. The writer wonders if he even knows how to play basketball when he does not seem to know the jargon properly and use it appropiately. Someone please call the original emcee back!
Ratdech Kruatiwa was at his commanding best as his 3 pointers, together with Piyapong, down the Slingers and the Tigers went as far as grabbing a 11-point lead at one time. As I had always emphasised, the Slingers had always shown great character and their ability to be composed and re-organised themselves saw them cutting the deficit slowly but surely.
Half-time entertainment saw a friendly basketball game between the Celebrities playing against the Media with the scoreline resembling more of a soccer game than basketball match at Celebrities 0 Media 2.
Our Slingers started the better team in the 2nd half and the crowd could start to feel that perhaps, we are able to starve off the 7 points deficit to claim the scalp of the Tigers at the SIS. Moreover, clever play from the Slingers saw top point getter Piyapong being put into foul trouble and having to seat out the 3rd Quarter to avoid being foul-out. His departure meant that the defence would have more time to deal with the threat posed by the Tigers No.12 as well as allow KJ to man mark Ikeena.
However, the Slingers' achilies heel remains in their inability to convert free-throws and even Al-V missed 2 straight free throws in one part of the game. Marcus Ng also failed to convert in at least 4 attempts and all this misses may seemed to have a bearing to the game as the Slingers find themselves at 5-7 points length of the Tigers.
Thankfully, the Tigers seemed to ease off in the final Quarter and Al-Vergera's 3 pointers with more than 2:30 to play seemed to turn the team on as Marcus Ng made a steal from Attaporn, tries a layup - and see Ikeena being foul out of the game.With this 'Giant' going out, Briggs with 4 fouls clocked and Piyapong playing in the last 2:00, the game suddenly gets on its toes and with 0:31 left on the clock, Singapore Slingers got the lead which they would not relinquish. MLB missed his 2nd Free Throw and with the Slingers and Tigers tied at 66-all. KJ got the offensive rebound and shoot for the 2. 68-66 and with just 0:11, the crowd was on its feet and when Attaporn missed the final shot, with KJ getting the defensive rebound, the crowd were already cheering, the Slingers' girl running around with their pom-pom and the referee blowing for 2 free throws with 0:00 on the clock. KJ gets 1/2 of his FT and see off the Tigers 69-66.
Now with a break of 3 weeks before the next home game against Philippines Patriots, the Slingers should wake up from their slump and perhaps start with another unbeaten run. In the words of Frank, the head coach for Slingers, "I want to bring the playoff to Singapore, and have Singaporeans watch the playoff in their own home ground.
