Bangkok, Thailand – “When you’ve lost 7 straight, and people start pointing fingers, as a team, we only have 1 thing to do – stick together, keep our heads up, and play like there’s no tomorrow. We have to stay positive because we know, in our hearts and in our minds, we can win,” said Neo Being Siang, Head Coach of the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers prior to the game.
Desmond Oh drives past Raymond Aguilar
Indeed, the Slingers, who came in to the game with a 7 game losing skid, kept their heads up and played like there was no tomorrow. The JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers won over the Defending Champions Chang Thailand Slammers 77-70. Louis Graham recorded his 5th straight double double by posting a game high (and season high) 27 points, and grabbed 11 rebounds. This was Graham’s 11th double double of the season. Returning import Kyle Jeffers, who recently replaced Donald Little, recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
The Slingers snapped a seven game losing streak, that coincidentally, started with an overtime loss to the Slammers.
“I knew, coming into the game, what the team needed me to do. I just came out and played my heart out. It’s good to be back,” said Kyle Jeffers.
Louis Graham starts the break
Imports Calvin Williams and Demetrius ‘Dee’ Proby scored 18 each for the Chang Thailand Slammers. Williams added 16 rebounds in a losing effort.
Singapore’s first and only professional basketball team started the game with a 9-0 run with none other than returning Import Kyle Jeffers starting with a slam dunk. The Slammer’s Boyet Bautista scored 8 of his 10 points in the 1st Quarter. The Slingers led after the opening quarter 17-13.
Ball movement was a key factor in the victory. Out of the 24 field goals that the Slingers made, 18 came off assists. Prior to the game, the Slingers were averaging 11 assists per game. The Slingers also limited their turnovers to 15. During the 7 game losing skid, the team was averaging close to 19 per game.
SLAM! Courtesy of Louis Graham
A jubilant Michael Johnson said: “Strong team effort, backed up by very good clutch shooting in the 2nd half by our locals Desmond Oh and Wong Wei Long ensured this victory for us tonight. I’m proud of the guys.”
Defense was still the name of the game for the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers. Outside of imports Williams and Proby, the rest of the Slammers shot 26%. The Slingers are currently leading the league in Opponents Points Allowed with 69.31 points per game.
In a game that saw the lead change sides several times in the 1st Half, the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers came out with guns blazing in the 2nd Half by limiting the Slammers’ scoring opportunities. It looked like the Slammers gave up late in the 3rd Quarter when the Slingers went on a 13-2 run and lead 53-42 with 2:37 left in the quarter. The Slammers though immediately woke up with a 6-0 run of baskets by Proby, Sopon, and Williams. Sopon finished with 11 points.
The Singapore Sensation Duo of Wong Wei Long and Desmond Oh contributed 19 and 12 points, respectively for the Slingers. Wei Long and Desmond had a combined for 5 of 8 3 point field goal.
With the victory, the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers now hold a 5-8 win-loss card. The Slingers’ next match will be against the AirAsia Philippine Patriots on March 25, Sunday, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Patriost are currently atop the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League standings with a 10-2 win-loss record. Tip off will be at 4PM. Tickets are available through Sistic at www.sistic.com.sg.
Slingers defense of Kyle Jeffers (31) and Louis Graham (24) swarms over Slammers’
Calvin Williams
Box Scores:
Chang Thailand Slammers 70 – Proby 18, Williams 18, Sopon 11, Bautista 10, Jantuma 7, Sangthong 3, Darongpan 2, Alcaraz 1, Wattana 0, Aguilar 0, Sukhdavb 0, Attaporn 0
JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers 77 – Graham 27, Wei Long 19, Jeffers 14, Desmond 12, Canta 4, Dulay 1, Sheng Yu 0, Khoo 0, Pathman 0
Quarter Scores: 13-17, 32-32, 50-56, 70-77
