With a spot in the playoffs on the line, the Singapore Slingers pushed the hosts Saigon
Heat to the edge before falling by three points in a match where both sides pestered
each other with some physical defense.
Over 2,000 fans packed into the Nguyen Du Arena to witness a match worthy to be
named as one of the games of the season as the Slingers tried to capture a playoff spot
before their final game in the Ho Chi Minh Circuit. However, it was the home side who
would finish with a 71-68 come from behind win.
The Slingers put the pressure on the Heat after pulling the game back in the second half
and pulled away to their biggest lead of the game. Exchanges from their world imports
made it interesting but the locals caught the eyes of the spectators who were on the
edge of their seats all night.
An exchange of threes from Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh and Jackson Mah kept the anxiety
at an all-time high in the dying moments of the game but it was Hasan Thomas who put
the dagger with his go-ahead dunk that gave the Saigon Heat a lead then would not
relinquish.
Despite the loss, the Slingers still had some standout players with Kentrell Barkley
leading the way with another double-double performance behind his 26 points and 10
rebounds followed by CJ Gettys with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
Local Slingers up and coming youngster Jackson Mah continued to raise eyebrows with
his five points and six rebounds while veteran Delvin Goh finished with seven points.
The Slingers defense was a feature of the second half but in inability to secure hard
won defensive rebounds ended up costing the Slingers dearly in the final 2 minutes.
Though in the final moments, they would lose the lead and eventually the game, the
Slingers gave the Heat its hardest game to date in front of a fanantical Saigon Heat
home crowd. The Slingers will now go into a do-or-die match against Zamboanga
Valientes who are also vying for that playoff spot in their debut season in the ABL.
For the Slingers and Zamboanga the equation is simple, win there final regular season
game matchup and you are into the playoffs or lose and your season is done.
