ABL Finals: Malaysia, Singapore clash for all the marbles

Kris Rosales vs Jason Brickman. Photo by Kuk Thew/ASEAN Basketball League

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Two championship-starving teams clash for one last time with only one coming out to etch its name in history.

Fierce rivals Westports Malaysia and Singapore Slingers figure in a fitting finale for the 2016 ASEAN Basketball League championship on a hot and humid Saturday in the Malaysian capital before an expected sellout crowd at MABA Stadium here.

The odds are just about even as both proud squads have a golden opportunity to win what would only be a first ABL title.

Game time is at 2:30 p.m.

The Slingers’ title hopes have never been more alive heading into a deciding Game 5.

Facing elimination, Singapore couldn’t have written a better script to extend its season with veteran guard Wong Wei Long hitting a buzzer-beating jumper in Game 4 last Sunday on its home floor at OCBC Arena.

The Dragons hope to have put the past behind them and will continue to lean on their imports Reggie Johnson, Calvin Godfrey, Jason Brickman and Matthew Wright.

Malaysia is in its second straight trip to the finals, and coming so close and losing in succession will be a tough pill to swallow.

The Slingers, on the other hand, will have to bank on a collective effort anew led by the versatile import Xavier Alexander and blue-collar worker in Justin Howard if they want to cap their breakthrough season with a championship.