Bangkok, Thailand – AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League Defending Champions Chang Thailand Slammers snapped the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers’ four-game winning streak 66-56 in a thrilling overtime victory in Thailand. Big Man DeAndre Thomas led the home squad with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Don Dulay and Louis Graham chipped in 12 points each in a losing effort for the Slingers. Graham also grabbed 16 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.
JobStreet.Com Singapore Slingers jumped to an early 8-1 lead but the Chang Thailand Slammers quickly recovered with a 7-0 scoring run. The 1st quarter ended with the score tied at 10 all.
Boyet Bautista of the Chang Thailand Slammers contributed 7 points off the bench in the 2nd quarter, as the Slingers were tentative on defense with Donald Little sitting on the bench because of foul trouble. The Slammers played rough defense as the Slingers were only able to score 11 points in the 2nd quarter and led 25-21 at halftime.
After a stern halftime talk by Coach Neo Beng Siang during the break, the Slingers found their groove offensively and trimmed the Slammers’ lead down to 3 by the end of the third quarter. The Slammers still led 43-40.
The visiting team from Singapore clamped the Slammers down on defense going into the fourth quarter and limited the defending champs to 8 points in the final quarter. Although the Slingers had several chances to win the game late in regulation, the Singaporeans were unable to handle the pressure with only Wong Wei Long (10 points) and Desmond Oh (8 points) able to contribute. Louis Graham and Donald Little blocked the Slammers’ last-shot attempts as the game went into overtime with both teams deadlocked at 51 all.
In a game that saw several lead changes, the breaks of the game went the Slammers’ way as turnovers and key over-ruled calls changed the momentum to the home team’s favor. A Don Dulay three pointer was changed to two points early in the 4th quarter.
Midway in overtime, Vaughn Canta made a three pointer that saw the Slingers’ take the lead 56-55. That proved to be the last stand though for the Slingers as Donald Little committed his fifth personal foul a minute after. The Slammers then went on a 11-0 scoring spree that sealed the game for them. Canta finished with 10 points.
DeAndre Thomas clearly had the best of Donald Little in the game as Little was only able to contribute 4 points on 2 of 11 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Slammers’ Import Kenneth Walker chipped in 16 points to go with his 9 rebounds.
The JobStreet.Com Singapore Slingers, now with a 4-2 win-loss record, look to get back to their winning ways as they host the AirAsia Philippine Patriots, who are currently on top the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League’s standing with 4-1, on Sunday, February 12 at 4PM. Tickets are available through SISTIC at www.sistic.com.sg.
Box Scores:
Chang Thailand Slammers 66 – Thomas 27, Walker 16, Tolomia 8, Bautista 7, Jantuma 5, Sopon 2, Williams 1, Wattana 0, Supachai 0, Sukhdavb 0, Attaporn 0, Darongpan 0
JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers 56 – Dulay 12, Graham 12, Canta 10, Desmond 10, Wei Long 8, Little 4, Sheng Yu 0, Steven 0, Pathman 0, Han Bin 0
Quarter Scores: 10-10, 25-21, 43-40, 51-51, 66-56
