MANILA, Philippines – The OUE Singapore Slammers stopped leaders Micromax Indian Aces, 27-16, to tighten their grip on second spot and put more distance between themselves and No. 2 Obi UAE Royals and No. 3 Philippine Mavericks at the close of the IPTL Dubai leg at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium Wednesday night.
The Andy Murray-led Slammers improved their game-winning percentage to 52.4 percent (214 games won against 217 games lost) to stay ahead of the Royals (49.7 percent) and the Mavericks (49.2 percent) in the race for the Top 2 positions.
Despite absorbing only their second loss in 10 outings, the defending champion Aces maintained their place on top with 55.2 percent.
The teams now shift their focus heading to the culminating leg and finals in Singapore beginning today.
The Mavericks will play fifth-running Legendari Japan Warriors today and the Royals tomorrow, seeking to pick up won games while hoping the three squads above them will drop games to be able catch up.
The Slammers will tangle with the Royals tonight and the Aces the following day to complete round-robin play.
Tournament format calls for the top two finishers after the round-robin to figure in a titular duel on Sunday.