By Jericho Ilagan | SingaporeSlingers.com
Singapore – The JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers took care of business in their season opener against the Chang Thailand Slammers as they won 56-50. Rashad Jones-Jennings led the Slingers with 11 points and 12 rebounds in his ASEAN Basketball League debut. Kyle Jeffers had 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Justin Howard of the Chang Thailand Slammers led his team with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Fellow American Import Michael Earl finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.
“Although happy to pull out the win, there is a lot of room for improvement especially on the offensive end. The most promising part of the game was the second half performance of our local players who stepped up in crunch time. We will need to work hard this week to improve or we may really stuggle in our upcoming games,” said Michael Johnson, General Manager of the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers.
It was a slow start for both teams as the Slingers only made 3 of 18 shots, while the Slammers made 4 of 22 shots. Jeffers scored 6 of his 10 points in the opening quarter. The Slingers took an early lead 10-8 at the end of the 1st Quarter.
The Slingers stepped on the gas pedal as they made a 10-4 run in the 2nd quarter that saw them lead by 14 points. By halftime, the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers led by 12 points, 35-23 over the visiting Chang Thailand Slammers.
The Slammers did a quick turnaround at the start of the 2nd half as they pressured the Slingers to commit errors and forced hurried shots. They capitalized on the turnovers and limited the Slingers to only 8 points in the quarter. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers lead over the Chang Thailand Slammers was reduced to 6 points, 43-37.
Going into the final quarter, the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers once again found a hero in Wong Wei Long, as the Singaporean scored 7 of his 10 points in the final quarter. Rookie Mitch Folkoff also hit big shots down the stretch and finished with 7 points.
Coach Neo said: “I’ll take that victory any day. It was also an opportunity for us to see what we need to work on. Hopefully, we come out stronger in our next game.”
Box Scores:
JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers 56 – Jones-Jennings 11, Jeffers 10, Wei Long 10, Dulay 8, Cabatu 7, Folkoff 7, Desmond 2, Han Bin 0, Delvin 0
Chang Thailand Slammers 50 – Howard 13, Earl 10, Dawsom 8, Baguion 7, Kongkum 6, Klahan 4, Apiromvilaichai 2, Wanna 0, Sekteera 0, Tongsri 0, Langsui 0
Quarter Scores: 10-8, 35-23, 43-37, 56-50
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