Kyle Jeffers proved troublesome for the Hi-Tech Bangkok City Twin Towers of Charles and Thomas before fouling out.
Bangkok, Thailand – The JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers lost an 8 point lead at the beginning of the 4th Quarter and were left with a devastating 59-51 loss to Hi-Tech Bangkok City. The Slingers have now suffered back to back losses after winning their season opener and now sport a 1-2 win loss record.
“It’s tough. We really did put ourselves in a position to win,” Coach Neo Beng Siang said after the game.
Russel Low held his own against 2013 World Import MVP Christien Charles
Five-year Slingers Veteran Kyle Jeffers led the way for the Slingers with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Han Bin Ng finished with 7 points. Former Singapore Youth Olympic Games player Russel Low added 6 points and 8 rebounds.
Chris Charles showed an MVP-type performance as he led all scorers with 21 points, and also added 7 rebounds and 5 blocks. Filipino Import Jerick Cañada scored 11 points for Hi-Tech who now have a clean 3-0 slate to start the 2014 AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League.
“We played within our system in the last five minutes of the game and our local players showed their best efforts,” said Hi-Tech Bangkok City Team Manager Raha Mortel on his team’s comeback.
After averaging 88 points in their first two games, Hi-Tech was involved in a scrappy defensive game against the Slingers. The visiting team dictated the game initially when the Singapore side only allowed Hi-Tech to score two field goals and limit their field goal shooting to 17%. With Russel Low in foul trouble, Delvin Goh came into the game and made two jumpers late in the first quarter to give the Slingers a slight 13-11 lead in the opening stanza.
Han Bin Ng defended by former MVP Attaporn Lertmalaiporn. Han Bin finished with 7 points.
The Slingers had to play without their top scorer Hassan Adams in the second quarter who dealt with an injury. With the absence of Adams, the home team started the second quarter with a 9-2 run, capped off by a three-pointer from ABL Season 1 MVP Attaporn Lertmalaiporn and last year’s World Import awardee Christien Charles putting back his own miss which gave Hi-Tech a 20-15 lead with 6 minutes to go before halftime. Singaporeans Wong Wei Long, Larry Liew, and Wu Qingde covered for the missing Adams and stepped up to keep their team in the game. Both teams were tied at 25 at the halfway point after Steven Thomas split his free-throws and Charles converted on a two-handed slam.
Former NBA player Hassan Adams came out of the Slingers locker room at halftime and was able to resume play in the third quarter. Charles, however, scored 9 straight points for Hi-Tech that gave them a 39-37 lead with 2:30 left in the quarter. The Slingers went straight back at them though with a 7-0 run that started with a three point play from Russel Low and capped off by turnaround jumper from Jeffers.
No Show. Adams struggled against Hi-Tech and finished with 0 points.
The JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers, Singapore’s first and only professional basketball team, looked to be on their way to steal one on the road after Al Vergara opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer that gave the Slingers an 8 point lead cushion. With their undefeated record on the line, Hi-Tech’s local players led the comeback charge – Wongsawangtham knocked down two free throws and a three-pointer to spark a 14-1 run for the home side. During that stretch, Wutipong Dasom nailed a three-pointer with 3:51 left to put Hi-Tech in front for good. The Slingers had to play the last 2:37 without Jeffers who fouled out.
The JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers will try to erase their two-game skid when they host the Saigon Heat at OCBC Arena, Singapore on Sunday, August 3.
Box Scores:
JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers 51 – Jeffers 17, Han Bin 7, Vergara 6, Russel 6, Wei Long 6, Delvin 4, Larry 3, Qingde 2, Desmond 0, Adams 0.
Hi-Tech Bangkok City 59 – Charles 21, Cañada 11, Lertmalaiporn 5, Montien 5, Dasom 5, Thomas 4, Sukhdave 4, Lakhan 2, Lertlaokul 2, Jaisanuk 0, Klahan 0.
Quarter Scores: 13-11, 25-25, 44-39, 51-59
