Broome, Western Australia – The Singapore Slingers arrived in town Tuesday via Perth and are rigorously preparing for the inaugural Cable Beach Invitational Tournament in Broome. Since flying in from Singapore Monday, the Slingers have trained everyday as they get set to play the Perth Wildcats on Friday at 8PM, and the Indonesia National team on Saturday at 6PM. Both games will be aired live on Star Sports.
The Slingers will have their work cut out for them – the Perth Wildcats have just won the NBL Sunshine State Challenge, the NBL’s Pre-Season tournament. The Wildcats also have recently bolstered their roster with the signing of 7’2 Luke Nevill. Mainstays Matthew Knight, Kevin Lisch, and Team Captain Shawn Redhage will lead the Wildcats, along with Australian Boomer Damian Martin.
Indonesia recently finished 13th in the recently concluded FIBA Asia Championships.
Not to be outdone, the Slingers will rely on veterans Steven Khoo and Pathman Matialakan, Guards Desmond Oh & Wong Wei Long, and 2nd year Forward Sheng Yu Lim. Completing the cast are Gary Koh, Koh Meng Koon, returning Michael Wong, and rookies Ow Yu Jie and Tan Hong Kuang. Bolstering their roster are imports Rob Wainwright (previously of the Philippine Patriots of the ABL & Barako Bull Energy of the PBA), and Jamal Brown (previously with the KL Dragons of the ABL).
Coach Neo Beng Siang of the Singapore Slingers said that they are “looking forward and excited to play against the Perth Wildcats.” He added: “This is a very good experience for our national boys to play in such a high level competition. I hope that they learn something from this tournament. This will be a good preparation for the upcoming SEA Games.”
General Manager Michael Johnson of the Singapore Slingers mentioned: “This is a great opportunity for our Singaporean players to experience a very high quality competition and an exciting and unique outdoor environment that has been setup in Cable Beach.”
