Singapore Slingers desperate for championship glory
While the 2015-16 ASEAN Basketball League was the Slingers most triumphant season to date, the agony of defeat in the fifth and deciding game of last year’s grand final series has left them desperate for more success.
The Slingers were one win away from being crowned ABL champions for the first time in the league’s six-year history, but fell short to KL Dragons in the championship decider.
The past season was the first time the Slingers qualified for the grand final series after finishing as beaten semi-finalists in 2010, 2011 and 2014.
The Slingers recorded a franchise best 16 wins last season, and their confidence was sky high leading into the playoffs.
After overcoming deficits in both the semi-final and grand final series’, the season ended on a sour note when they lost to the Dragons in Kuala Lumpur.
Team captain Desmond Oh, who has been with the Slingers since the start of the ABL in 2009, said the players were proud of their achievements last year, but were extremely motivated to go one better this season.
“Last year we were so close to the championship,” Oh said.
“We were very disappointed to lose. It was tough. This year we are coming back strong and we want to fight for the championship.”
Coach Neo Beng Siang said the team was in good shape at this stage of the pre-season, and believes they have the ability to contend for the title in 2016-17.
“We had a great season last year,” Neo said.
“The season overall was a pass. We lost in game 5, but this year we are working hard again and aiming for the championship.”
World imports Xavier Alexander and Justin Howard are back for their second season together with the Slingers, while local sharp shooter Larry Liew returns to the team after missing last season.
Power forward Russell Low, who returned to the Slingers line up in this year’s Merlion Cup, will not play this season, while his front-court partner Delvin Goh is unlikely to be available before January due to his national service commitments.
Local boys Leon Kwek and Ng Han Bin will vie for court time at the forward positions, as will Singapore National Basketball League finals MVP Kelvin Lim.
Team veterans Oh and Wong Wei Long return in the backcourt, and are likely to be supported by an ASEAN recruit.
Wu Qingde, who played a significant role last year for the Slingers, also returns to the team.
New recruit Tay Ding Loon is hoping to force his way into the rotation, while former Slinger Mitch Folkoff is also hoping to return to the team.
The Slingers aim to sign an ASEAN recruit in the coming weeks to fill out the 12-man roster.
“We are particularly happy with the team at this point of the pre season,” coach Neo said.
“ Without Russell and Delvin, we are going to be pretty small.
“We have been working on our conditioning as we will be looking to play a more up-tempo game style.
“The longer we get into the pre-season, hopefully we can get a better understanding as a team, and be ready to play some good ball right from the start of the season.”
Article by Michael Farrell