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Winner-takes-all Game 5 situation for Slingers, after heavy Game 4 loss in Surabaya

The Singapore Slingers' centre John Fields (with ball) being guarded by the CSL Knights Indonesia's Darryl Watkins. (PHOTO: Iman Hashim/Yahoo News Singapore)
The Singapore Slingers' centre John Fields (with ball) being guarded by the CSL Knights Indonesia's Darryl Watkins. (PHOTO: Iman Hashim/Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE — For the second time in their three Asean Basketball League (ABL) Finals appearances, the Singapore Slingers will have to face a winner-takes-all Game Five.

A 74-87 loss in Surabaya on Saturday (11 May) against the CSL Knights Indonesia means that the best-of-five series is tied at 2-2, and the two rivals will battle it out in one final game at the OCBC Arena on Wednesday.

The big question now is: Which Slingers team will show up?

Will it be the efficient and intense team that played terrific defence in their Games Two and Three victories? Or the lacklustre team that slumped to heavy defeats in Games One and Four?

The Slingers will have some time to regroup and recharge, as well as ponder on quick adjustments, as they bid to end their long wait for the ABL title.

Game Five loss in 2016

Back in the 2016 Finals, the Slingers also faced a Game Five situation with the Westports Malaysian Dragons in their first ABL Finals appearance. On that occasion, however, it was at the Dragons’ home arena in Kuala Lumpur, and they succumbed 65-77.

This time, they will have the home-court advantage, and coach Neo Beng Siang told The Sunday Times, “We will tidy up on our defence and offence, and we will be confident with the must-win game back home.”

US import Xavier Alexander echoed Neo’s sentiments, saying, “We stole one game here and we will have home-court advantage for the last game.It's time to be comfortable back home, where we know our fans will be there for us in the first Game Five in Singapore.

"We are looking forward to getting the job done."

Countering Knights’ centre

The Slingers will be pondering on how to counter the Knights’ American centre Darryl Watkins, after the former National Basketball Association player finally broke out in the series with a 28-point, 16-rebound, five-assist effort to dominate Game Four.

His performance was the difference maker as the Knights responded emphatically after their narrow 60-63 Game Three loss. Despite being down 18-21 after the first quarter, they used a flurry of three-pointers and Watkins’ dominance in the paint to put the game away in the second and third quarters.

Related stories:

Slingers edge Knights in defensive battle in Surabaya, now 1 win from ABL title

Slingers thump Knights for vital win ahead of tough away games at ABL Finals

Slingers lose Game One, home-court advantage, possibly key player in ABL Finals