Slingers eye Merlion Cup progress after SEA Games disappointment

SINGAPORE – They were tipped for a silver medal at the recent SEA Games last month, having struck bronze in the last two editions in 2013 and 2015.

But Singapore’s basketball team fell short in the semi-finals after a narrow 60-68 loss to regional kingpins Philippines, who went on to win their 12th straight title.

Then in the bronze medal play-off, Frank Arsego’s charges lost 55-65 to Thailand, a team they beat in 2015 at the same stage.

Leaving Kuala Lumpur without a medal was a disappointment and this week’s Merlion Cup, which will feature six of those Singapore players in the Singapore Slingers side, will surely be a chance for redemption.

However, stalwart Ng Hanbin stressed that the players are just focused on the future.

“I think not being on the podium is just part of the game, sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t,” the 28-year-old told TODAY on Tuesday afternoon (Sept 19) at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy.

“I won’t say this is a chance to bounce back because it’s a whole different competition, but I think it’s a good tournament for us to showcase what we can do.

“When they (local fans) see the games ‘live’ in front of their own eyes, they will understand that we, the Singapore team, actually fight really hard in every game.”

The forward did rue the slim defeat to the Philippines last month, having come within a point of their opponents during the second quarter and went into the final period trailing by only seven points.

“I think for the SEA Games, sometimes it’s about the belief, because we were really close to them (the Philippines),” he said. “We are still a little short on the belief, probably that (is where we) came up short in the last quarter.”

FIRE NEEDED ON COURT

The Slingers finished fourth out of six teams when the Merlion Cup made its comeback last year after a 20-year absence and this year’s edition will feature seven sides.

Holders Shanghai Sharks of China have returned alongside five new teams. Adelaide 36ers (Australia), Satria Muda Pertamina (Indonesia), Yulon Luxgen Dinos (Taiwan), Jeonju KCC Egis (South Korea) and NLEX-SCTEX (Philippines).

Slingers captain Desmond Oh hopes they can go further this time.

“We’ll try to make it to the final, last year we were so close and just lost by two points,” the 31-year-old said of their 70-72 semi-final loss to Philippine’s Mighty Sports.

“This year, the five teams are all better and stronger, especially the Adelaide 36ers… it’s really good exposure for the team and we will try to learn as much as possible.”

Ng, who plays as a forward, wants to see fire in his team-mates as they take on top quality opposition in front of the home crowd at the OCBC Arena.

“I want to see the fight,” he said. “I know that the results matter sometimes but if they see the fight, they know they have given your best and will root for you, no matter what the result is.”

Head coach Neo Beng Siang has retained American swingman Xavier Alexander from the last Asean Basketball League (ABL) season and brought in two new imports in Canadian centre Ryan Wright and Filipino point guard Mikee Reyes.

Wright, who stands at 2.04m-tall, a journeyman who played in countries like Taiwan, Hungary and Turkey, was plying his trade in Australia when he received the call from his agent to join the Slingers. Reyes has played in a few semi-professional leagues back home and “took the first flight out” to Singapore after the Slingers’ offer was confirmed last Thursday.

The pair are out to impress in a bid to earn a spot on the Slingers’ roster for the new ABL campaign and believe they can hold their own in the Cup ahead of their opener against the Dinos on Wednesday night (Sept 20).

“I think preparations are going pretty good, everyone is working really hard and we’ve had some good practices,” said Wright, 30.

“I think we can be competitive with any team in this tournament… Anything can happen if we play well and together.”

Reyes, 26, added: “I believe we can win it all if we can run the offence and play defence the way we’ve been in practice… If everyone is unselfish and puts the team first, we have a big chance of winning.”

EYES ON ABL

The Slingers have lost back-to-back ABL finals and Wright admitted that the prospect of helping them win their first crown was a key factor in his decision to come here.

“I am looking to show I can be a good inside player for them,” said the Toronto native. “I want to be the one to really help take them over (the line) to (win) the championship.”

For Reyes, who hails from Manila, this represents a chance to get his professional career going after his Philippine Basketball Association draft last year did not work out.

“I played for two years after I graduated in 2014,” said the University of Philippines alumnus. “They (Slingers) honestly don’t need me, I need them and it’s an opportunity for me to play basketball.

“They are already a strong team… the locals are really good and I’m just trying to mesh with the team and help them get the win, anything they need me to do to get the win, that’s what I’m going to do.

“I’ve kept grinding and waiting for the opportunity and now I’ve finally got it.”

Shooting guard Oh noted that the Cup will allow the two foreigners to gel with the side as they ramp up their pre-season preparations with an eye on the coveted ABL trophy.

“I think we were kind of complacent last year after we won the first game,” he said of their 1-3 finals loss to the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions.

“This time round, I’m going to control the team because I’m the team captain, they need to know this is a lesson we have to learn.

“We’ve got to fight for everything and make it to the final and get the championship this time.”