Game Today
(OCBC Arena, Singapore)
8 p.m. – Singapore vs Malaysia
The Singapore Slingers and the Westports Malaysia Dragons look to move on the threshold of capturing the ASEAN Basketball League crown as the best-of-five title series resumes today at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
Another thrilling showdown awaits both teams in the 8 p.m. Philippine time match after both teams split the first two games of the series that began last weekend at MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Singapore drew first blood with a come-from-behind 84-80 victory before Malaysia avoided a 0-2 hole with a convincing 83-67 triumph.
The Filipino imports of the two finalists will also try to step up anew in the hope of securing a 2-1 lead heading into Sunday’s Game 4 at the same venue.
Fil-Canadian Matthew Wright and Fil-American guard Jason Brickman have been playing splendid for Malaysia in the series while Fil-Am Kris Rosales looks to bounce back from his foul-prone showing the last time for the Slingers.
The matchup between Wright and Rosales will also be one of the anticipated subplots of the contest.
Wright was held in check by Rosales in the second half of Game 1 after firing 20 of his 22 points in the first two quarters but the latter had four fouls early in the third quarter of the second game but kept on applying his pesky defending on the former Philippine youth cager.
Filipino coach Ariel Vanguardia is also banking on American imports Calvin Godfrey and Reggie Johnson and Malaysians Shee Fai Loh, Ma Chee Kheun and Wong Wee Seng to deliver for the Dragons in Game 2.
For Singapore, coach Neo Beng Siang hopes for more production from top locals Wei Long Wong, Desmond Oh and Delvin Goh to compliment imports Xavier Alexander and Justin Howard.