There has to be something about the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Each time the Singapore Slingers play at their home court, their locals seem to step up in a big way. First it was Desmond Oh against the Chang Thailand Slammers two weeks ago where he scored 16 points including three, 3-pointers during crucial periods of the game to help the Slingers come from behind to win 74-63.
This time, it was Wong Wei Long who took the responsibility against the Bangkok Cobras as the Slingers delivered a crushing 73-48 defeat to the league’s newcomers. In doing so, he did what no local Slinger has ever done in the three years – lead the game in scoring. His 15 points was the highest amongst all players from both sides, including monstrous imports who are certainly not used to be outscored by a 175 cm player!
In particular, his back-to-back three pointers in the third after another two from Desmond Oh extended the Slingers’ advantage and put the game beyond doubt after they accumulated a 33-21 lead at half-time. Wong shot 60% from the field and was pure from two-point range and the free throw line.
What was even more encouraging was the fact that the five local players took to the court in the final four minutes of the game and did really well to maintain the lead! Even the league’s youngest player, Delvin Goh, had a run out which will certainly boost his confidence.
“It feels really good to get onto court and get some playing time. I think the locals played perfectly at the end – when it was time to go in, we went it and when it was time to rebound, we rebounded,” commented Goh.
Tan Chin Hong and Ng Han Bin, who don’t get much playing time, also did magnificently on court. Ng did look a little nervous but managed five points while Tan was a bit more confident, going for rebounds and playing with a high level of intensity. He finished 2-for-2.
As expected, coach Neo Beng Siang was very pleased with his local players’ performance. One thing that certainly made him delighted would have been the way the Slingers started the match.
In the previous three matches, the Slingers endured slow starts and while they were able to fight back in the last two matches, it was tough and it is a hole they do not want to be in. This time, they managed to keep the scores level at 14-14 in the first quarter before blowing their opponents away in the second.
Imports wise, Donald Little, Louis Graham and Vaugh Canta were all suffering from the flu. Still, Little played an outstanding game as he kept the thrash-talking Gentry Lewis to a mere 10 points. He also scored nine points and grabbed 17 rebounds, which he wasn’t able to do in the last home game.
Graham was also consistent with his double-double, ending with 14 points and 13 boards. Point guard Donald Dulay did his part as well with 10 points and three assist.
This victory, once again belonged to the locals because it was them who did more than expected.
Compared to the first game where they lacked to confidence to really impose themselves on the game, the locals have gotten into the stride of things. Now that they know what they can do, hopefully they’ll keep it up and play this way every match.
In the words of Donald Little, “If the locals play this way, we’ll win every match.”
Article written by: Koh Yizhe
