RP Hoopsters Power Slingers vs Dragons

By JONAS TERRADO

MANILA, Philippines — The Singapore Slingers went to their Filipino imports in Al Vergara and Leo Avenido to beat the Westports KL Dragons, 74-61, on Sunday in the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

With their double-digit lead reduced to four in the early moments of the final canto, Vergara and Avenido frolicked from the rainbow territory to help the Slingers stave off the determined comeback of the Dragons.

With the win, Singapore gained sole possession of third place with two wins and one defeat while the Dragons are still winless after three games, the same record of the Brunei Barracudas who absorbed a 67-72 overtime loss to the Philippine Patriots.

The Philippine Patriots, co-owned by Harbour Center owner Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco, and the Chang Thailand Slammers are still on top with identical 3-0 slates while Indonesia's Satria Muda BritAma are in fourth position at 1-2.

Avenido, acquired during the offseason after playing last season in Brunei, dropped 20 points, including 5-of-11 from three-point zone while Vergara finished with 17 points while adding five rebounds and five assists.

American reinforcements Kyle Jeffers and Marcus Skinner produced 18 and 15 points, apiece, with Jeffers grabbing 12 boards in 36 minutes of action.