Just play on
Controversy arose during the third meeting of the season between the Singapore Slingers and Tanduay Alab Pilipinas on Wednesday evening.
With under three minutes remaining, Singapore’s World Import Xavier Alexander was trapped in the corner by Justin Brownlee. Brownlee successfully challenged Alexander’s shot. However, when the Slinger tried to recover, he took too many steps. But a travelling violation was not called and Alexander continued, eventually knocking down a jumper with the shot clock expiring to quell the late rally that Alab was attempting.
“The ref didn’t call it so it ain’t no travel.
“I don’t know. It was so loud, the atmosphere, I could’t even hear the shot clock if there even was a shot clock violation,” recalled Alexander, who had a smirk while recalling the play. “I just heard my teammates yelling to get it up as high as I can and I ended up making a lucky shot.”
The Slingers were able to get the bounce back win, 90-80 — avenging their home loss to Alab last Sunday and regaining the series lead 2-1.
For the 29-year-old swingman, it was a huge victory for him personally, as it helped him regain his form after a string of dismal outings.
“After playing bad last game, I just wanted to refocus and come out here play loose and play aggressive and find my teammates,” said the native of Forest Park, Oklahoma, who finished the game with a near triple-double performance of 20 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists to go along with five steals.
“I ended up doing that and we ended up successful.”
Unfazed against the highly-touted line-up of Alab, the former NBA G-League player is looking forward to doing the same thing one last time when they take on Alab on February 4.
“It’s a big game, good rivalry, good atmosphere, we know they’re a really good team they got new players,” the six-year pro shared.
“I look forward to facing them again in Singapore.”
