After two exciting circuits in Singapore & Batam the 2023 ABL Invitational now moves to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Singapore Slingers can’t wait to get back into action. After leaving Singapore with a 2-2 record the Slingers improved finishing 3-1 in Batam, Indonesia. The Slingers go to KL with an overall 5 win – 3 loss record which has the team sitting in 4th place with 2 ciircuits left for teams to grab one of the 4 playoff spots.
The Slingers sit 2 games back of the Saigon Heat, NS Matrix and Hong Kong Eastern who all currently have six wins and two defeats.
The Slingers posted a big win in there last game against Louvre Indonesia however, Slingers head coach Neo Beng Siang said, there will be no complacency heading into the third circuit knowing that some teams have made changes to their rosters and will be stepping up their game fight for one of the 4 playoff positions.
With the ABL finally resuming after nearly 3 years it has given the Slingers local players, including several rookies the opportunity to play against higher level quality teams from the region. Jackson Mah’s is enjoying his stint with the Slingers averaging seven points per game at 51% shooting from the field. He said, the Slingers have given me the chance and the platform to improve and raise my game and i am enjoying the challenge.
The Slingers’ world imports are proving to be a force with the trio of CJ Gettys, Kentrell Barkley, and veteran Xavier Alexander having posted some big numbers in the Slingers wins.
Barkley started the 2023 ABL Invitational in great form and is averaging 25 points per game along with 11.8 boards per game. Not far behind him is Gettys with an average of 19.9 points per game and 10.7 rpg.
Alexander has started to look like he was never away from the Slingers averaging 13.6ppg, 7.1 assists to go along with multiple steals. Unlike the previous seasons, X-Man has taken more of a distributor role with his 7.1 assists per game and with the signing of Barkley and Gettys helping the cause.
As they resume their 2023 ABL Invitational campaign, the Slingers will face Hong Kong Eastern (4th Feb) Macau Black Bears (6th Feb) & Louvre Surabaya (8th Feb) at MABA stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Earlier in the season, Hong Kong Eastern handed the Slingers their first loss with a convincing 68-52 win at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
