Singapore 28th Feb 2016
Singapore Slingers go down in Game 1 of their semi final play-off series at home to defending champion Hitech Bangkok City at the OCBC Arena in Singapore 73-70.
The Slingers trailed for most of the match but put themselves in a position to win down the stretch. Foul shooting and turn overs ended up costing the Slingers any chance of snatching victory, with the score 71-70 in favor of Hitech with under 1 minute to play the Slingers were unable to covertseveral crucial free throws that may have led to a Slingers victory. Hitech however took their chances and came away with the away win.
The Hitech team celebrated on court after taking the 3 point win and wrestling home court advantage in the series. While the Slingers were left lamenting what might have been.
Game 2 of the 3 game series is scheduled for this Friday 4th March in Bangkok, if Hitech Bangkok City wins game 2 they will advance through to their 2nd consecutive Championship Finals Series, if the Singapore Slingers are able to bounce back and take game 2 in Bangkok on Friday, a game 3, deciding game would be played at the OCBC Arena in Singapore on Sunday 6th March.
Slingers Head Coach Neo Beng Siang said “We are very disappointed not to have played at our best today when it counted. We were confident coming into the game as we thought we had enough to take the game at home, but the defending champions had the tools to pull it out in the end and again showed why they have been a front runner in the league the past few seasons.
Coach Neo went on to say, “This is a 3 game series and until one teams wins two games, we are still alive and in with a good chance, we finished the regular season with a 16-4 record and an 8-2 away record so we know we are capable of getting a win in Bangkok and forcing the series to a game 3” said Coach Neo.
The Slingers shooting woes played a major factor in their loss with the team converting just 1- 14 from the 3 point line and only 17-27 from the free throw line.
Chris Charles led the visitors with 22 points & 19 rebounds, while for the Slingers Kris Rosales finished with a game high 24 points. Slingers import Xavier Alexander finished with 9 points, 17 rebounds and 7 assists but shot only 3-16 from the floor.
Game 2
Semi Finals Series
Hitech Bangkok City vs Singapore Slingers
Friday 4th March 2016
Thai Japanese Stadium 2, Bangkok
