from www.singaporeslingers.com
Double-header will also see Slingers match up against strong Philippines selection side in the 11th game of the Singapore Challenge Series
(4 Nov 2008, SINGAPORE) On the eve of their match up against the Malaysian All-Stars this Wednesday (7.40pm) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the Singapore Slingers have announced details of an 11th game in the ongoing Singapore Challenge Series, which is set to create local basketball history.
A historic double-header match will unfold at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Nov 30 (Sunday), in what is likely to be one of the biggest basketball events ever to hit Singapore. With some 7,000 tickets sold on the first week of sale, a capacity crowd is expected to pack into the 10,700-seater stadium as it gets set to rumble with an official regular season match between two of the contending professional teams in the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) - Talk&Text and San Miguel Beer.
The game, which will be beamed to millions of TV viewers in basketball-mad Philippines, will tip off at 3pm, and will be followed by another highly anticipated Singapore Challenge Series game at 5pm, which pits the Singapore Slingers against a strong Smart Telecom National Selection side representing the Philippines.
The event, made possible by the Dr. AB Monozca Foundation, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), Basketball Enterprises Pte Ltd, owners of the Singapore Slingers and the Singapore Sports Council (SSC), will benefit medical missions and orphanages in the Philippines, as part of ticket proceeds will go to the missions and orphanages and will be matched by the Monozca Foundation.
"This event on the 30th is of a grand scale, after 10 years and several attempts, it is finally happening now. We are here to ensure the success of Singapore's plans as a sports hub" said sports philanthropist Paul Monozca, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Monozca Foundation.
Added Rey Yu, General Manager of PLDT Singapore: "We are pleased to be the main sponsor of this unprecedented event. With over 10,000 spectators in the stadium expected for this doubleheader, it is a big boost to basketball in the region with Singapore as the anchor venue"
Added Managing Director of Basketball Enterprises Bob Turner: "This event will further prove that a regional professional league in basketball is a viable proposition. Our Chairman Tony Fernandes is championing the formation of the regional pro league, which is set to launch by the middle of next year."
The Singapore Slingers team has already shown its prowess through the ongoing Challenge Series with games organized against teams from Australia, PBA teams from the Philippines, the American Basketball Association's (ABA) Beijing Aoshen Team, the number one team from Indonesia and a pro club from India among several others.
Tickets for the double-header on Nov 30 are available now at the Smart Wireless Centre at the Lucky Plaza Mall in Orchard Road. Ticket prices are $35, $25 and $15 with a free phone card.
Promising young locals join Slingers squad to take on Malaysian All-Stars
Meanwhile, as the Slingers gear up to take on the Malaysian All-Stars tomorrow, two young and promising local national team players Wong Wei Long, 20, and Desmond Oh, 22, will be given the chance to suit up in Slingers colours for the first time, to replace injured players Darren Ng and Blagoj Janev.
"We picked Wei Long and Desmond as they have strong potential and have also been training together with the Slingers," said Slingers assistant coach Neo Beng Siang, who is also head coach of the national men's basketball team.
"There is always intense rivalry when we play against our neighbours. This time, we will be facing a Malaysian team that has three American imports, and this will be a great opportunity for our young local players to gain some exposure."
Tickets for the game between the Singapore Slingers and the Malaysian All-Stars are available at all Sistic outlets or at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Ticket prices are $16, $12, and $6.
