ssc_marcomms posted on November 01, 2009 09:00
Pathman Matialakan (in yellow) going for the hoop Photo courtesy of Francis B. Espeleta
Televised “live” over ESPN Star Sports with GE as its title sponsor, the inaugural ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) tipped off with a fabulous start to the season. And with a string of recent victories, the Slingers seem all prepped to take their opponents down by storm.
In a recent interview with The Play Times, Frank Argeso, the Slingers’ coach, was quick to attribute the initial success of the team to their great chemistry. Despite being assembled just two months ago, the team, made up of a seemingly eclectic mix of local and foreign players, proved to be a strong squad on the court.
One of the key players in the team, 24-year old Hong Wei Jian has been playing basketball since he was 12. A versatile player known for his phenomenal vertical leaping abilities, Wei Jian switches smoothly between the Guard and Forward positions. And his talents do not stop at just basketball. This young chap, with his boy-next-door charm, is also the poster boy for the team. When queried, he chose to keep mum, however, on how his female fans seem to diligently show up at games to cheer for him.
29-year old Pathman Matialakan, who had been instrumental in the team’s success, was more chatty. Talking freely, this 1.98m genial giant admitted to being a typical family man who enjoys spending time at home and watching soccer. A hardcore Liverpool fan, he remarked jokingly that any team but the Red Devils can win this season’s Barclays Premier League. Beneath the friendly exterior, Pathman is a formidable player on the court who makes his opponents see red when he starts swinging into action.
It certainly looks like the Singapore Slingers’ morale is riding high at the moment. With such a strong pool of players in the squad, one can certainly expect a cracker of a match at the next game.
By Dennis Saw