Undermanned Slingers yield to Sydney Spirit in basketball clash

Story by Ian Chew. Photos by Lai Jun Wei.

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sunday, October 5, 2008 – Slingers Eric Sandrin and Amien Kirkland were sorely missed in their team’s maiden loss as the visiting Sydney Spirit relied on their superior size and depth for a workmanlike 90-81 win.

Slingers' 2.2m giant Sam Harris started for the first time this season to the cheers of the 500 fans present, but even he was unable to prevent the Australians from pounding the baskets for a 19-17 first-quarter lead.

Slingers centre Blagoj Janev had displayed a good shooting touch early on, but two back-to-back 3-point plays by Spirit's Damian Martin edged the visiting team in front. Local boy Pathman Matialakan though contributed four points in the quarter to keep the Slingers close.

A strange sight also greeted the Slingers fans when a stockier and darker-looking "Eric Sandrin" appeared in the first quarter, with Sandrin’s name printed on his back. It was actually new Slingers signing Jamal Brown making his debut, having only arrived the night before. Unfortunately, he arrived too soon for his jersey to be ready.

If the Slingers managed to hold their own in the first quarter, the second proved disastrous. They appeared lethargic as their defense gave up easy baskets and committed numerous turnovers when executing their offence. The shell-shocked crowd were left staring at a huge 37-46 Slinger deficit as the teams trooped off for the half time break.

The gap proved too much for the home team. Sydney Spirit never looked threatened throughout the second half, maintaining their advantage on the back of a balanced scoring output from their starting five players.

Another local lad Koh Meng Koon gave the crowd something to cheer about however, by capping his late match appearance with the team’s final basket.

Slingers coach Gordon McLeod pointed to the pivotal second quarter as the turning point in the game.

“We let the game slip away from us then by conceding 27 points and unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to come back against a team as well-drilled as the Spirit.”

“It may be disappointing to lose, but we made them worked hard for their win,” he said.

Of more concern though, was the back injury Eric Sandrin suffered during the game against Air21.

“He has sustained a fracture in his lower back vertebrae and we are looking at an 8 to 10 week absence for him,” said a resigned Gordon.

"With the disruptions that the injuries and overseas competitions have posed to our squad, I am just looking forward to the next four days of rest and recovery to improve our team.”

See highlights of the second half of the game:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBXkc5JAcMo