WAN CHAI – Hong Kong Eastern escaped the Singapore Slingers yet again to bag their fourth straight victory in Southorn Stadium, Wan Chai.
The home team emerged dominant in the early goings of the game with an 11-4 run led by the gigantic presence of Sam Deguara underneath as he scored three straight slams.
The Slingers couldn’t seem to get their rhythm until Xavier Alexander and John Fields spearheaded a run of their own, ultimately closing in on Eastern at the end of the opening frame, 20-21.
Singapore then came in more aggressive and confident as they started off the second quarter with an 8-0 run courtesy of Desmond Oh and Delvin Goh. The dynamic duo of Alexander and Fields was on display anew as they combined for 12 points to grab a 39-38 lead entering the halftime.
O’Darien Bassett was on fire for Hong Kong with a whopping 26 points to go with three rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. He also fired four triples on 44% shooting from rainbow country. Behind him was Marcus Elliott who had another impressive showing of 22 points and eight rebounds.
The start of the final canto saw the Slingers with a five-point lead over Hong Kong. But that margin burst like a bubble as Bassett and Elliott traded baskets to finally snatch the lead, 71-68, with seven minutes to spare. The surge continued as Eastern ultimately notch the win behind their impeccable defense and timely baskets.
Jerran Young had a quiet double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds on top of six assists and four steals but all that was not enough to beat the streaking Eastern. Alexander and Fields led the Slingers with 29 and 23 points, respectively.
The 6-4 Singapore Slingers will try to regroup as they go against the revamped Wolf Warriors on Friday in Zhuhai. The Warriors will be heading into the game after coming off a 95-105 loss to Alab Pilipinas.
SCORES:
Hong Kong Eastern – Bassett (26), Elliott (22), Deguara (17), Chan (9), Lee (7), Lau (3), Wu (2), Xu (2)
Singapore Slingers – Alexander (29), Fields (23), Young (11), Tay (6), Oh (5), Goh (5), Low (2)
