Back to Back Wins!

Been very busy, but since the last amazing come back win over Thailand Tigers...no decent Slinger fan should miss this Wednesday 6th Jan game against the current #1 league standing Philippines Patriots. And the reward for those who came despite a jam from the soccer game at the stadium (Yes you soccer fans who are sick of supporting a losing soccer team - come support Slingers!) , was a sweet win over the Patriots! Checking out the Facebook ABL status and comments after the game showed a muted response as the game ends...even sweeter!

Press Release about Slingers loss to Patriots

Just got an email from Bob about the loss yesterday...

After defeating the Philippines 74 to 69 in round two of the ABL competition, the Patriots were able to turn the tables on Singapore with a solid 70 to 53 win in Manila.  It was our first loss of the ABL season although the Slingers still sit on top of the League.  Make sure you put Wednesday, January 6^th in your calendar as the Slingers will host the Philippines in the tiebreaker of their series.

Coach Frank Aresgo had plenty to deal with even before the game got underway.  Starting point guard Al Vergara was doubtful right up until game time with an injury sustained in the win over Indonesia last week.  Al had a bruised knee but decided although he was not at 100% he wanted to play in front of his family and friends.  His on court presence was also important as backup point guard Wei Long was diagnosed with chicken pox the night before the game and could not take the court.  He will have to stay in Manila until early this week.  His teammate Wai Sian was also diagnosed with chicken pox and could not take the court.  Coach Arsego was already shorthanded with the unavailability of Steven Khoo who was on National Service duties.

The Slingers will now turn their attention to Indonesia to try and get back on the winning track with an away game on Saturday, the 14^th.  We will also try and get everyone healthy!  Singapore had a solid 96 to 72 win over Satria Muda last week but with the home court advantage no doubt Indonesia will be out to avenge their embarrassing loss.

The Slingers next home game is against arch rivals KL Dragons.  It is Singapore VS. Malaysia so spread the word to keep building the crowds.  Let’s Roar Singapore!

Go Slingers!

Bob

So we lost the game due to a lack of players, but the crap talking still goes on in the Facebook ABL fan page. You can see fans going at each other. It is easy to get carried away because fans are often a passionate bunch, and seriously I welcome a good flurry of "healthy" exchanges, especially when it doesn't involve contact and its all just words. I remembered reading that Michael Jordan often cut out news clippings on journalists criticising his games, and pasting on his locker to remind him, to drive him and to piss him. We all have our own ways of getting motivations. So I say remember the losses and use it to our advantage when we next meet the Patriots on 6th Jan!! I hope the crowd will be more than balanced in our favour!

Singapore Slingers vs Philippines Patriots

Sorry for the late post, as I was really busy with my work schedule as my boss arrived on the day the Slingers played the Patriots. It was a great day. Why so, besides for me, it being a fulfilling day where I ran over my own phone with my own go-kart at 100kmh thus having to rush back home to get my backup phone and missed a good 10mins of the match. Which I found strange that there was still a long queue outside the tickets booth!! And the crowd was strangely filled with quite a number of locals. So it was a great day as I finally heard half the crowd shout "D-Defense" with the passionate Filipinos coming in to support their Patriots.

Anyway much love to Nic and Daphne as always for indulging me with the best seat in the house - by the courtside. Together with Jase who was on ESPN by the way ... in case you watched..he was in pink, you can't miss him. Since I was late and had bad positioning, here are his great pics and complete review.