For the third time in two weeks, the Singapore Slingers will once again add another page to their rivalry against the Kuala Lumpur Dragons.
Last week, the two teams battled twice with both squads splitting the victories. Interestingly, the Slingers and Dragons both won their away games but it would be the latter that claimed the Straits Cup for the 10th Season of the ASEAN Basketball League due to point differential.
Even though they lost grip of the Straits Cup for the first time in four years, the Slingers are raring to put the past behind them and instead build on their last win against Kuala Lumpur and try to go back-to-back against them.
Holding a 7-8 win-loss tally, the Slingers are hoping to emerge victorious to force another deadlock with the Dragons who are at 8-7.
Both teams saw action last Wednesday and got different results. Singapore started flat and suffered a tough 87-77 loss to the league-leading Mono Vampire Basketball Club who were even playing without one of their World Imports in Preston Knowles.
The Dragons, on the other end, took full advantage of the fact that San Miguel Alab Pilipinas only had two imports with Justin Brownlee not making it to the game as they scored a bounce back 92-80 victory.
Singapore was led by Xavier Alexander and Marcus Elliott in their last game although both struggled from the field. Alexander scored 25 points on six of 20 shooting from the field while Elliott was even worse at five of 17.
Anthony McClain chipped in 15 points and 16 rebounds but the Slingers could not overcome the fact that both their local starters played their worst games of the season. Leon Kwek only managed three points against three turnovers. Delvin Goh also scored three points only before being disqualified from the game with five personal fouls.
There are two players from the Dragons that the Slingers will have to pay extra attention to. Reigning Player of the Week Will Artino had another strong performance in their last meeting with 16 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. He followed this up with 29 points in less than 29 minutes against Alab where he also got 10 rebounds and a couple of blocks.
The second is Cade Davis who has been shooting out of his mind in their last two games. He scored 37 points with nine triples against Singapore while chipped in 26 points anchored on his triples against Alab.
As always, only the best of these to teams is expected when they lock horns again. The battle for the tough four spots will be a bloodbath and both teams can really make a move on the league leaders of they pick up a win.
