ABL: Slingers’ Alexander insists no travel in crucial play

Singapore Slingers’ Xavier Alexander. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Singapore forward Xavier Alexander stood by what the game officials called, or didn’t call, in the Slingers’ 90-80 road win over Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League Wednesday night.

Alexander got away with what seemed to be a traveling violation late in the fourth quarter which drew the ire of Alab head coach Jimmy Alapag and the hometown crowd at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

“The referees didn’t call, it wasn’t a travel,” said Alexander insisted.

READ: Alab Pilipinas falls to Singapore at home

Not only did Alexander get the benefit of a no-whistle, he finished the sequence with a jumper to give the Slingers an 84-76 lead as the 24-second clock buzzed off with 2:02 left in the game.

Alexander said he wasn’t even sure that he beat the buzzer or if the referees blew on their whistle as the crowd was too loud for him to pick out the sounds on the floor.

“It was so loud, the atmosphere, I couldn’t even hear the shot clock if there even was a shot clock violation,” said Alexander whose team improved to 4-5. “I just heard my teammates yelling to get it up as high as I can and ended up making a lucky shot.”

Regardless of the controversy surrounding the ending of the match, Alexander said they are just glad they were able to get away with a victory to avenge its 89-80 loss to Alab in the previous game in Singapore.

“It’s a big big game, good rivalry, good atmosphere, we know they’re a good team,” said Alexander whose team holds a 2-1 head-to-head record over Alab. “I look forward to facing them again in Singapore.”