The Singapore Slingers vs Cairns Taipans game started off well for the Singapore
side. But it was a single man who brought the Slingers to their knees. #4 Dwyane Vale shot a blistering 16pts in the 4th quarter to tear apart the lead Slingers had built over 3 quarters. He never missed a shot. Unlike my previous half crap review, I was less distracted as Jaymee sits a good 50m away in the Ratemyturban.com corporate box instead.
It started with Slingers leading early in the 1st quarter. At the 5min mark, we have led 18-10, where teamwork was evident with quick passing all around. 1st quarter ended with a high note with Helms having a follow up layup in the dying seconds, bringing the score to 30-19. The Slingers look energised with lots of ball movements and great defense. It seems like Slingers was going to repeat the win over Taipans in Cairns.
But Taipans wasn't going to make things easy. Starting the 2nd quarter, the score was 34-21, but within 4mins, a 12-3 run ensued. Taipans cuts the lead to 4; 37-33. Slingers was having difficulty with the offense, with Rod having drawn his 3rd personal foul late in the 2nd quarter. Things do not bode well for the Slingers with Shane #7 missing 2 FTs to end the half. Mike #23 was still doing fine, topping all scores at 17pts.
Start of the 3rd quarter,Taipans took their first lead 44-43, but it was shortlived as Slingers started tightening the defense and increased their offense in the subsequent 2 possessions; bringing back the lead 49-44. At the 7 min mark, Janev #21 had a hard foul which took him out of the game for awhile. He was playing well throughout the game, and his absence was felt. Back to back 3s on both sides brought the game to 56-53. The tight game could be felt by the fans as tension grew on the court. Ratemyturban.com corporate box lightened the situation with their usual funny signboard which reads "You shoot like my grandma" or "Miss LAH" during Taipans free throws, distracting them, causing some missed shots! Janev came back in for the game and scored the next 9pts to end the 3rd with Slingers up 69-62.
Start of the 4th, the jumbo board had a technicality which caused the screen to go blank, and Bill Gates can be faulted for! It had to be rebooted which revealed the Microsoft Windows XP as the operating system for the board. By the time the board rebooted, the score was 76-70 with both sides hitting 3s. Helms had 23pts while Rod was having difficulties scoring, only had 8pts. Shane at this point was perfect from the 3pt line, hitting 2-2. From this point forth, the tide turned as Taipans managed to shut Slingers out. 4th quarter 7min mark, Taipans took the lead again 78-76. A lead they will not relinquish, they rained down 3s and the score was 84-78 within minutes courtesy from Dwyane #4's hot hands. From being up 6, to down 6, Slingers started to feel the heat and desperation shots ensued. Slingers went on to missing the next 2 crucial possessions. With 2mins remaining, Taipans were up 91-82 as Rod was making bad 3pt shots in hope of cutting the lead. Helms with better luck cut the lead to 6pts 93-87, as he shot a big 3. With 1min left, Slingers panicked, unable to score, they went on to playing the fouling game.
Which spells an impending end to the game, and its time to enjoy the free wine..Chilean Merlot..hmmm
As Taipans scored on the free throw line, we failed to make any shots and the game ended 99-87. A disappointing end as we led most of the way, the energy which started the match faded away, unsure if it's due to poor fitness, or bad coaching. I often feel that if the game is already in the bag, a lack of motivation or proper calls by the coach, he could be letting the game slip away, allowing the opponents to run away with it. And that is the coach's responsibility.
Thanks Nic for the game ticket, pity he wasn't around to see a nice warmed up crowd we had today.
Oh by the way, interesting to note, again, for the Million Dollar Shot promotion during the 4th quarter timeout, the lucky spectator didn't get lucky, he missed all 3 attempts!! hee hee... And did anyone hear the milliondollarshot question? I could have swore I didn't hear the emcee say it out. So I am clueless to what the question is and thus unable to provide any answers, but to anyone who has better hearing than me, please post the question if you do not know the answer, I should be able to provide some hints.
Oh and I do not have a big ass camera like Jase and Jean, so head down to their sites for nice pictures of the game.
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