Photo by Francis Espeleta

The Thailand Tigers, who won the previous match on 7 December, were looking to continue their winning streak today, whilst the Slingers needed a win to stay in the running for the playoffs.

The Thailand Tigers sent in the same starting lineup with Chaz Briggs, Axel Doruelo, Piyapong Piroon, Ikenna Nwankwo and Attaporn Lertmalaiporn to go up against Singapore Slingers’ Michael LeBlanc, Kyle Jeffers, Marcus Ng, Al Vergara and Hong Wei Jian.

Singapore Slingers Kyle Jeffers won the jumpball against Thailand Tigers Chaz Briggs and subsequently opened the scoring for the Singapore Slingers.

The first quarter started with both teams neck-in-neck with barely a point separating both teams, but it was the Thailand Tigers who emerged and lead the Slingers 20 – 16. The Thailand Tigers pushed hard and extended their lead to 10 points in the second quarter, which ended 39 – 29 against the Slingers.

The Singapore Slingers, knowing the importance of winning this match and getting back on track, fought back in the third quarter, reducing the Thailand Tigers lead to just 5 points, ending the quarter 50 – 55.

With 3 minutes left on the clock, the Thailand Tigers were leading by 6 points, but the  Slingers Al Vergara assisted Kyle Jeffers to even the score 66 all with 19 seconds left till the final buzzer.

Singapore Slingers sealed their win when Michael LeBlanc scored 2 points with 16 seconds left on the clock, followed by Kyle Jeffers’ free throw after being fouled by Thailand Tigers Piyapong Piroon with 1 second left to the match.

The Slingers, who fought hard for their comeback, took the match 69 – 66 at the final buzzer. Slingers’ Kyle Jeffers lead the team with 20 points, and 13 rebounds, followed by Michael LeBlanc and Marcus Ng with 15 points each. Thailand Tigers Piyapong Piroon lead the team with 19 points, followed by Ratdech Kruatiwa with 12 points. Chaz Briggs lead the Tigers with 8 rebounds.

For more information, please contact Mr Kuhan Foo, Chief Executive Officer of the ASEAN Basketball League via email kuhan@aseanbasketballleague.com, or Samantha Surin, Marketing at +6016 219 8847 or email samantha@aseanbasketballleague.com.