Slingers' key to ABL Finals: harmony and foreign signings

FINALS, GAME ONE

WESTPORTS MALAYSIA DRAGONS v 
SINGAPORE SLINGERS

(Tomorrow, 8.45pm, MABA Stadium, 
Kuala Lumpur)

Four days ago, they overcame a massive hurdle when they defeated Hi-Tech Bangkok City in the play-off semi-finals of the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

The Singapore Slingers were understandably ecstatic after coming unstuck at the same stage last year.

Forty-eight hours later, the players were already on the court preparing what for many of them will be the biggest game of their lives.

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For the first time since the tournament's inception in 2009, the Slingers will have a shot at the big prize, when they take on top seeds Westports Malaysia Dragons in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow in the best-of-five ABL Finals.

Desmond Oh, Slingers captain and one of the team's pioneer members, credits much of their success this season to how well the foreign signings have blended in.

"The imports have bonded with us really well," the 29-year-old told The New Paper, before a training session at the OCBC Arena on Tuesday.

"They give us what we need - we need a big centre (Justin Howard) and a strong guy who drives to the basket (Xavier Alexander)."

For point guard Wong Wei Long, the Americans, along with Filipino Kris Rosales, have proven to be the final pieces in the offensive puzzle.

Against Hi-Tech on Sunday, Alexander topped the Slingers' scoring charts with 29 points, while Howard came in second with 15 points.

"This is the year that we found the right imports who fit the system, what coach Neo (Beng Siang) has been building for the past six years," Wong, 27, said.

"Xavier plays a very important role, not only in terms of scoring, but also on the defensive end as well as the rebounds.

"He's been crucial to the team."

While the imports have been bright sparks this season, Slingers coach Neo also paid tribute to the Singaporean core.

"From recent results, the locals have really stepped up as a whole," he said.

"In Game Two of the semi-finals especially, our local boys put in a combined score of 66 points to win the game. I'm really pleased with that."

Oh pointed to two-metre tall forward Delvin Goh as a 20-year-old who has "stepped up big time".

"We really need him in the paint as he is someone who works very well," Oh said. "It's credit to him that we beat the Thai club."

Besides encouraging performances from the players, Oh thinks the Slingers have also benefited from a slight tweak in tactics.

"We're focusing more on our defence this year," he explained.

"The lack of individual defence cost us a lot in the last few years."

Neo believes his charges have to put in another series of solid performances in defence to stand a chance of clinching their maiden title, especially when the first two games of the finals will be in KL (tomorrow and Sunday).

"Everybody knows our defence can win the championship," he said.

"But how you are going to handle that individually and as a team (is another question)."

The veteran coach added that it was crucial for his side to grab at least one win out of the opening two games on the road.

IMPORTANT

"If we can secure at least one of those games, of course we will feel more confident," he said. "It's definitely important because we are coming back with two home games."

To do that, Neo wants his side to nullify the Dragons' imports, especially towering centre Reginald Johnson, who posted 32 points and 13 rebounds in their second semi-final play-off against Saigon Heat.

"We must work on how we are going to shut them out from scoring," Neo said.

"Of course, we're not neglecting the locals as well, who can give them something they need."

Wong added: "I will read how Jason (Brickman, Dragons guard) is going to play. If we do not know our opponents well, it'll be pretty tough to play defence on him.

"It's going to be a tough game for everyone, because this is the Finals.

"We both have the same head-to-head record (in the regular season), so we're just trying to see who comes out on top."