Pumped-up Beermen seek 3rd win vs Slingers

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from victories over the past two champions of the league, San Miguel Beer looks to sustain its charge against another streaking ballclub, second-running Singapore Slingers, tonight in the third AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The Beermen (2-1) have been on a roll after a disappointing ABL debut (a 77-83 overtime setback to pacesetting Westports Malaysia Dragons in Kuala Lumpur), stamping their class over inaugural edition titlist AirAsia Phl Patriots (78-70 at home) and defending champs Chang Thailand Slammers (68-59 in Bangkok) to finally live up to expectations.

Coach Bobby Parks said the team, winner of the pre-season tournament in Bangkok last December, is just getting the hang of playing in the ABL’s home-and-away format.

“Although we have two straight wins now, we are still jelling,” said Parks, whose charges take on the host Slingers (3-1) at 8 p.m. in a game that the Singaporeans will use to raise awareness for the coming World Cancer Day.

“But winning on the road will definitely help the players get better under the conditions,” he added.

The Beermen are 1-1 when on the road, losing to the Dragons and prevailing over the Slammers.

A big contributor to SMB’s two-game streak is import Doug Thomas, who replaced original reinforcement Richard Jeter to complement the explosive plays of Dalron Johnson.

“Doug did not score as much in our last game but that is understandable as he is only playing his second game. But he is helping us a lot in defense,” said Parks of Thomas, who finished with 10 points, three blocks and two steals against the Slammers.

“He’s causing mismatch problems (to our advantage),” he added.

The Slingers, who will wear pink jerseys and auction off their white kits after the game to raise funds for the Singapore Cancer Society, are themselves on a hot streak, winning their last three games after yielding their opening assignment.

Local Wong Wei Long topscored with 15 points on a 60 percent shooting clip in the Slingers’ 73-48 rout of the Bangkok Cobras, complementing the 14-point, 13-rebound effort of import Louis Graham.

“Our teammates created a lot of opportunities for us to score, and we practiced our three pointers a lot in the off-season. Looks like it paid off,” said Wong.

Parks said they expect the Slingers to be a tough customer.

“Singapore is one of the stronger teams in the league and one with the better imports,”he said.