Salvacion and Tubid are the Stat Performers Against Singapore Slingers

From Singapore Slingers Website

The Singapore Slingers ended the Singapore Challenge Series on a high with a dominant 100-68 victory against Ginebra Barangay at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Armien Kirkland was the top scorer of the game with 23 points and Sunday Salvacion led the visitors with 17 points.

Playing their much anticipated season finale in front of more than 4,000 enthusiastic fans, the Slingers started the ball rolling for a dazzling display of basketball action with a powerful alleyoop dunk by star forward Eric Sandrin off a timely assist from Al Vergara on the fast break to open the scoring for the home team.

This paved the way for coast to coast action that thrilled the fans as the teams traded the lead for the next three minutes.

Rebounding, however, proved to be the Achilles heel of Ginebra Barangay as they were out-hustled on the boards by the home team, grabbing only 5 rebounds while the Slingers crashed 11 boards.

Sandrin led the Slingers with 5 rebounds in the quarter, while sharp shooter Armien Kirkland found his groove downtown, leading the team with a perfect 4-for-4 from the field which yielded 9 points as the Slingers went into the break leading 26-21.

The visitors kept the game close in the second quarter, as guard Sunday Salvacion led his team with 7 points in the quarter. Local player Hong Wei Jian gave the Slingers a double-digit lead (35-25) for the first time in the game with a timely triple and the visitors proved unable to close the gap, ending the quarter down 38-45.

The turning point of the game emerged in a thrilling third quarter that saw key momentum swings between the two teams.

Encouraged by the thunderous crowd, Ginebra Barangay mounted a determined comeback after halftime as Ronald Tubid ignited his team with two triples to inch his team within 2 points of the Slingers at 49-51.

However, the Slingers kept their composure to keep the visitors at bay and erupted on a 9-0 run with a Sandrin triple and three consecutive fast breaks in the last two minutes of the quarter to gain an 18-point lead (69-51) before the start of the final quarter.

The Slingers’ team effort eventually proved too strong for the visitors, as five players (Armein Kirkland, Eric Sandrin, John Fitzgerald, Al Vergara, Hong Wei Jian) chipped in with double-digits each to lead the team to a 100-68 victory. Local player Hong Wei Jian, who had his strongest performance of the season with 11 points, added the icing on the cake for the Slingers with a spectacular dunk on a fast break to end the game on a sweet 100-point note for the home team.

Slingers coach Frank Arsego was extremely proud of his team’s effort. He said: “We played a tremendous game and the team really kept its composure well to win tonight.”

Praising Weijian’s effort, he added: “Weijian is a very hardworking chap that has a lot of potential. You have just seen a fraction of what he’s capable of today. If he continues training hard, I’m sure he can be someone special for Singapore one day.”

A visibly happy Weijian said: “I feel that I still have room for improvement but I’m really happy to be given the opportunity today and I I’m glad to have repaid the coach’s faith in me.”

Star Performers:

Singapore Slingers:
1. Armein Kirkland (23 pts, 5 RBs)
2. Eric Sandrin (20 pts, 11 RBs)

Singapore Slingers: Ginebra Barangay:
1. Sunday Salvacion (17 pts, 4 RBs)
2. Ronald Tubid (12 pts, 6 RBs)

Singapore Slingers vs Barangay Ginebra Kings

From Singapore Slingers - Newsletter #45

Singapore, 14 January 2009 - The Singapore Slingers will be replacing last Sunday's cancelled match against India's Sathbayama All Stars with a dream match against the Philippine's most popular team - Barangay Ginebra - this Saturday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium at 7.30pm.

This will be the last game of the Singapore Challenge Series and the Slingers will be looking for their 10th win in 11th games of the Singapore Challenge Series.

"It is a critical decision we had to make as both teams will be without key players", said Paul Monozca, Chairman of the Monozca Foundation - the key patron of the Philippine teams playing in Singapore. "But we feel it's a great way to end the 'Singapore Challenge Series' with a dream match. The fans will be happy to know there will be a re-match when the teams complete themselves in a few months. But for now, patience to hold this game has run out".

"We welcome the decision to have this dream match earlier" said Bob Turner, Managing Director of Basketball Enterprises and owner of the Slingers. "This match is all about saying thanks to all the supporters of the 'Challenge Series' this year and to tell everyone to look forward to next season when the official regional pro league opens. Ticket prices remain the same at $6 to $16 and are available at all Sistic outlets".

Although this will be a tough game, the Slingers will be playing without Shane McDonald and possibly Darren Ng while Ginebra is playing without JJ Helterbrand who is training with the national team and Eric Menk, who is in the United States.

Mark Caguioa is also not playing and Reavis and Valenzuela are side lined due to injury.

However, fans can look forward to a match-up between the bad boys Eric Sandrin and Alex Crisano and point guards Paul Artadi and Al Vergara. Veteran star point guard Jhonny Abbarientos will also be suiting up for the Singapore game. Fans will also be treated to meet veterans Jong Uichico and Allan Caidic who are both part of the coaching staff of Ginebra.

"Ginebra is the Apple Computer of the Philippines. It is not the strongest team, but the most popular", said Noel Saavedra of the Monozca Foundation. "It is our version of the Kallang Roar"

The match will be played at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 7:30pm.