Ok another admission, I wasn't really concentrating on the match for a good 2 quarters of the match. Because the girl I have been idolizing since I first saw her on a mag cover over 10 years ago was sitting like 2m away from where I was!! Jaymee Ong is so babelicious!! In case you do not know who she is (Ok my buddy never saw her before - but now that I have OPENED his eyes, he does agree that she's hot!) here's a picture of her. I was starstrucked or actually dumbstrucked.
Ok, so 3rd quarter where I managed to focus on the match, Slingers was up 73-59. Grizzard and Helms were doing well, they were shooting quite reasonably. But Hawks was not doing too well defensively, allowing many inside shots and 3 pointers from our guys.
We had a huge crowd tonight, partly due to the fact it was AIA family night.
There was the usual halftime entertainment of Hummer RC car driving, but for AIA night, they had employees and even policy holders come up to shoot free throws! The best shooter was actually the General Manager of AIA, who shot a free throw quite nicely. The other 20 odd people were not so lucky, only a couple of guys got it in and won some prizes.
I think every game night, there should be sponsors! Because then Slinger fans will get these plastic balloon bangers to heighten the atmosphere that was lacking in the previous matches. Unlike in the NBA games, where many sponsors from Burritos to Gatorade advertises throughout the game. For example, if the score was above 100 points, free Burritos was given for every meal purchased. I thought that would have been great if Brewerks gave 20% off if Slingers had won...
Or perhaps Tiger Beer would sponsor these plastic bangers by selling cheap beer filled in them! You would put the straw in and drink the beer, and when finished, we can blow them up and use them! Suggestions coming from an alcoholic!
Anyhow, 4th quarter scoreline at 80-68, Slingers still up by double digits. We have continued to press in and apply full court pressure. Unlike against the Perth team, we seem to be more energetic and the Hawks does not seem to have any sharp shooters. Perth Wildcats had in the previous game (Winning 124-87), able to capitalized on our weaker defense from tired legs resulting from full court press and launched repeated 3 pointers (~60% 3PFGs 14/24) which were demoralizing as well as distracting, as our players will also try to shoot 3s to try to catch up (we tried and ended up with 3PFGs 9-22). Looking at the Slingers' roster, besides Mike Helms, we do not really have pure shooters(by the way we only made 3PFG 9-19 in this game).
Talking about shooting, 4th quarter timeout session - Milliondollar Shot promotion of having a lucky fan shoot from half court, 3 point line and free throw line. And with much glee, for past 2 games, no one won anything yet! Well I have - $500!! Though I still could not stomach the thought that I missed the 3 pointer which could have won me an LG 32in LCD TV for my PS3! Damn...and in any case you want to take part in the million dollar shot, click on the link and take part in the quiz, which the question for the match against Hawks is -"What is Rod Grizzard's jersey #"
Resuming the game, at the 1min 30secs mark, we actually had our lead cut down to 8 points 105-97. Hawk's Franklin was doing all the damage inside the paint and driving to the hoops. At one stage, he was blocked to the floor and I was yelling "stay down!". Oh another digression, Jaymee rocks as a basketball fan..she can really root for the Slingers, getting off her chair and screaming out cheers and boos. This is one perfect girl for any basketball fan! (unfortunately she does have a good looking beau sitting next to her~ sob but i do wish her happiness)
Coming back to the game, we wrapped up winning the Hawks - Final Score 113-102.
Coincidentally the top 3 scorers of the night were Helms (28 pts), Grizzard (23 pts) and Hawk's Franklin (28 pts) - the Black game ; the undeniable truth that white men can't jump or Singaporeans must stay on the bench!
Boxscores and Rod's jersey number can be found here --> Boxscore
