Brickman: Dragons didn’t play as team in ABL finals game 1 loss

Fil-American guard Jason Brickman. Photo from Asean Basketball League

Westports Malaysia point guard Jason Brickman felt the Dragons didn’t play as a team in a loss to the Singapore Slingers in Game 1 of the 2016 ASEAN Basketball League Finals at MABA Stadium here.

Brickman said for the Dragons to bounce back, they have to do it collectively.

“It’s the whole team. We gotta play together. We didn’t play together today,” said the 24-year-old Fil-American, who had 17 points, six assists and three steals. “Their defense was making us struggle. Guys were getting frustrated, but we just gotta respond.”

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“We took quick shots. I think we were trying to get back into it too quick instead of just one play at a time. We were taking a lot of threes. We always took the first shot instead of going inside and making the defense move.”

The Dragons were playing good team basketball in the first half. The ball was moving and finding the open man and on the defensive end, the players had each other’s back.

But when the Slingers made adjustments and had found their way back from a 51-38 hole in the third quarter, the Dragons had no response.

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“We played good in the first half. We came out strong. In the second half, they made adjustments, played good defense. Cal (Godfrey) got into foul trouble. It was tough to score. They did a good job defensively.”

Making matters worse, Calvin Godfrey picked up his fourth foul with still 4:08 remaining in the third quarter leaving the Dragons without someone to cover the Slingers’ versatile import Xavier Alexander, who had an all-around game of 27 points, 15 rebound and nine assists with five steals and two blocks to boot.

“If you’re going to win a game here, Godfrey has to play better,” said Dragons Filipino head coach Ariel Vanguardia. “With him being out, nobody really couldn’t contain Alexander one-on-one and we didn’t have our inside and out game. I expect him to bounce back.”

Godfrey was limited to 22 minutes and 34 seconds due to foul trouble and only had 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field and 10 rebounds.

“We gotta get ready for Game 2. Hopefully, Cal can stay out of foul trouble. I know we can play better.”