Story by REDintern Ethan Lou. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

ABL Preseason Singapore Slingers vs Rain or Shine

Steven Khoo scored a game-high 23 points on the night for the Slingers, including three 3-pointers. He was 9-of-11 from field-goal range. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sunday, September 5, 2010 — The Singapore Slingers began their ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) pre-season with a 97-72 defeat of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Local slinger Steven Khoo topped the scoring charts with 23 points, including three 3-pointers.

“The team is great, although we have been together for only two to three weeks, we have really bonded, on and off the court, sharing everything. We were very good for a new team,” said Steven. “I am very happy with my performance. It’s great but, there is still a lot of room to improve.”

This was the first of three pre-season games against PBA opposition in preparation for the ABL tipping off in October.

The second season of the ABL will see six professional teams tip off — the KL Dragons (Malaysia), Satria Muda BritAma (Indonesia), Brunei Barracudas, Philippine Patriots, Thailand Cobras and the Slingers. The Cobras replace the Thailand Tigers of last season.

The Slingers finished second during the regular season but lost to Satria Muda in the semi-finals.

The Slingers led 27-13 at the end of the first but Rain or Shine outscored them 13-11 in the second quarter to ensure that the Slingers led by only 12 (38-26) at the half-time break.

A fairly even scoring quarter in the third saw the Slingers hold a 13-point (64-51) lead going into the fourth.

The Slingers then put together a 22-12 run on the back of Steven Khoo and Al Vergara to set up the eventual 97-72 victory.

“They seemed as though they were here on holiday, they weren’t really motivated and we jumped on them early,” said returning local Pathman Matialakan. “We will be facing top teams in our next game. That would be our real test.”

New import Marcus Skinner made his debut in a Slinger jersey while last season’s co-captain Kyle Jeffers was also back in the familiar yellow home jersey. While the imports usually top the scoring charts, it was a pleasant surprise to see Steven Khoo’s name lead the charts.

“Overall, we had a good game, we had a game plan and we stuck to it. Some individuals really stepped up big. Everyone has a part to play. We are not a Kyle Jeffers and Marcus Skinner (imports) team. Everyone has a part to contribute. We didn’t really have to rely on imports (tonight). Last year, most of the job was done by the imports,” said Pathman.

Each ABL squad is allowed five import players – two international and three ASEAN players. Each squad has 12 players and will take 10 players for away games.

With reference to his own performance, Pathman said: “I am a bit disappointed that I did not start, but there must be a reason for it. I gave my best, given the minutes that I was playing, I got a couple of shots down and it’s only the first game of the season. I am reasonably satisfied.”

The Singapore Slingers will next play Meralco on Monday, September 13th, 2010, 8pm, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Scoring by Quarter
Rain or Shine vs Singapore Slingers
1st Q: 13-27
2nd Q: 13-11
3rd Q: 25-26
4th Q: 21-33

Singapore Slingers Game Box Score

* Denotes starters. MIN - Minutes played. FG - Field goals made/attempted. 3PT - Three-point field goals made/attempted. FT - Free throws made/attempted. OR - Offensive rebounds. DR - Defensive rebounds. TR - Total rebounds. AST - Assists. STL - Steals. BS - Blocked shots. TO - Turnovers. PF - Personal fouls. PTS - Points scored.
#NameMINFG3PTFTORDRTRASTSTLBLKTOPFPTS
2*Desmond Oh231/60/20/0011200102
5Wong Wei Long175/103/72/30111002415
11Tan Chin Hong50/10/00/0011000000
12Brian Tan30/00/00/0101000020
13*Steven Khoo329/113/42/31342001223
14Gary Koh60/10/00/0000000140
15Pathman Matialakan162/40/02/2145010306
19*Al Vergara276/104/50/00665003116
21Ng Han Bin20/10/10/0000000010
23Teo Chun Hoe50/10/00/0011000000
31*Kyle Jeffers367/140/04/559142124118
35*Marcus Skinner287/140/13/347112102317
Team821001
total20037/7310/2013/162035551432181897

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Game Box Score

* Denotes starters. MIN - Minutes played. FG - Field goals made/attempted. 3PT - Three-point field goals made/attempted. FT - Free throws made/attempted. OR - Offensive rebounds. DR - Defensive rebounds. TR - Total rebounds. AST - Assists. STL - Steals. BS - Blocked shots. TO - Turnovers. PF - Personal fouls. PTS - Points scored.
#NameMINFG3PTFTORDRTRASTSTLBLKTOPFPTS
1*T.Y. Tang221/70/12/3112110124
5*Jay-R Reyes204/70/02/30220112210
9*Jeffrei Chan153/41/21/2011000248
11Eddie Laure160/30/12/2022000012
16RJ Jazul160/50/20/0011000130
18*Ryan Arana304/110/12/20110102110
20*Jervy Cruz30/00/00/0000000010
21Paolo Bugia171/50/01/3235000013
22Josh Vanlandingham217/116/100/01010010020
44Doug Kramer285/100/03/51340000013
56John Ferriols121/20/00/0011100012
Team22411
total20026/657/1713/207172434281672

ABL Preseason Singapore Slingers vs Rain or Shine

American Kyle Jeffers (Slingers #31) goes for a slam dunk. Jeffers, who is back for his second season with the Slingers, dropped 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting. (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

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