Leo Avenido and Lim Sheng Yu make Slingers debut
By Kenneth Tan/Red Hoops
Leo Avenido (Slingers #14) was recruited from fellow ABL side Brunei Barrucudas in the close season.
Nationality: Filipino Age: 31 Height: 1.88m Weight: 79 kg (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
In their second pre-season game against Meralco Bolts of the Phillipine Basketball Association (PBA) last week, the Slingers unleashed another two new players in Filipino Leo Avenido and local Lim Sheng Yu.
Leo, who was recruited from fellow ASEAN Basketball Leagueu (ABL) side Brunei Barrucudas in the close season was introduced into the fray after four minutes of the first quarter. He announced his arrival in style as he promptly landed a three-pointer within one minute. He clocked up 25 minutes of action and contributed 10 points in total.
Meanwhile Sheng Yu was given five minutes of action, missing his only attempt in the game. With the presence of four foreigners, he will face stiff competition from five other new local players for the remaining slots in the 12-man squad for the upcoming ABL.
Red Hoops caught up with the two debutants at the end of their first ever game for the Slingers.
Red Hoops: Where did you come from and how did you get to join the Slingers this year?
Leo: (shrugs) I don’t know how I ended up here! Previously I was playing for Brunei Barrucudas.
Maybe it’s Michael Johnson (Slingers’ general manager) who saw me playing and then offered me a contract. At first it was Al Vergara (fellow Filipino) who went to Philippines and said to me “the Slingers want you” but at first I didn’t believe in him because I was playing for the Barracudas against them. Then somehow when the ABL (new season) is coming and they’re starting to get players then they called. I arrived on 23 August, almost a month already. So far I like it here.
Sheng Yu: I believe I was spotted during this season’s Division One when I was playing for SAFSA. We finished third runner-up. After our second last game, I was approached by Michael Johnson who asked me whether I’m interested to train with the Slingers. That was around April to May. At first I rejected because I was still serving National Service.
At the same time I was called to the national team training, so I was training with the coach Neo Beng Siang who happens to be the head coach of Slingers. As soon as the Slingers’ pre-season training started three weeks ago, I started to join them.
I’m finishing NS in one to two month’s time. I’ll be studying from November onwards but I can commit full time thankfully.
Red Hoops: How’s the training and settling in with the new teammates so far?
Leo: I’m still adjusting but it’s not difficult to cope with that (the settling in), the teammates are good and nice and I’m a nice guy too!
Sheng Yu: We have been training for three weeks so far. I’m very new to the team and still learning a lot. Everybody’s been very welcoming and the seniors are very willing to teach me. And I’m playing in a whole new position. In Singapore I play 5 but in here I play 2 or 3, it’s a lot of difference.
It’s (trainings) at a very intense level, it’s definitely different from how we train in Singapore. It’s very professional and the players are very disciplined. They make things short, sharp and sweet, everything we try to do it once to be good. In terms of skills play and physical play, its very intense which I’m still trying to cope with at the moment. I still have so much to learn!
Red Hoops: How you do feel about playing your first game for the Slingers today?
Leo: It was very hard but we need that for the upcoming games. It’s good that we won!
Sheng Yu: I was so nervous! I believe I had around five minutes of game time and I am happy that I didn’t make any major mistakes. That is actually my goal for this match. I know that I won’t be shining as a forward but the least I can do is to support them and not be a burden, which i think i did.
Red Hoops: What you thought was the main reason that Slingers decided to sign you? What made you decide to move over? Was this a step up for playing for the Barrucudas?
Leo: It was maybe due to my experience. I also like playing here because we got tools to win the championship (the upcoming ABL). Players-wise, we are as good as the powerhouses like Philippines.
I’m not trying to say we’ll definitely win the championship but at least we’re a title challenger. I believe all the players want that.
They’re (Singapore’s basketball scene) not developed here like Philippines. Maybe ten years from now they’ll be good, but now Singapore’s behind and catching up little by little.
Singaporean Lim Sheng Yu (Slingers #12) made his first appearance in a Slingers jersey.
Nationality: Singaporean Age: 19 Height: 1.91m Weight: 80kg (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Slingers had an excellent season last year,ended up 3-4.
This time around..i give my prediction,they will ended up in 5-6 place.
watch out for thailand and brunei
Hey [Hanoi]
To help u recall: Singapore Slingers finished 2nd in regular season last time round.
It is a fact, please do ur homework / or perhaps u choose to say what u wan to remember as.
The Singapore Slingers is in even better position now.
With homegrown efforts in these new lads, and a Professional Local Coach who mentored the best; they are set to be the next champions.
We will, We will
Sling you, ouh!
This Is Singapore!
Hey Don Lee,
Slingers finished 2 in semis but ended up 3-4 over all.
Patriots and Satria battle for championships.
Malaysia are the second best in ASEAN region THAT is FACT!
I repeat, whether ABL or ASEAN singapore best place is 4. Don’t hide it if you cannot accept the Truth.
SLingers in good position now?? are serious???
Thailand will sens all its National team players in preparation to Asian Games, and they tap old and reliable Dixon.
Same goes with Malaysia full NT. SLingers are very lucky coz last year. If Malaysia can able to find legitimate Center + Hartman,
Before Slingers dream for champ, they should beat first Indonesia!
I want to see all Local Singapore SLingers play. NO Asean Import,show what they got! I reapeat they will ended up in 6th place
Slingers put asean imports,they will place 3-4!
HIstory never lies!
I think the Slingers are once again a serious contender for the crown since the core of their team is still intact. There are also some key additions like Avenido and Skinner, but the change in line-up is not as drastic as the changes made by the Patriots — only three players from their championship team remain.
Patriots line up are not official. NCAA and UAAP still ongoing,get them sign like Vidal from Atlas.
Better to get all collegiate players rather than unsign PBA players!
Drop 4 remnants from last year roster,all 12 NEW players please!
@Hanoi. The Patriots having 3 or 4 players remaining from last years championship team returning for this season is already bad, but having 12 new players is just making things worst. Keep in mind, chemistry of these players doesn’t come overnight. Lucky for the Patriots it’s a long season. That’s why I am giving the edge to teams like the Slingers and Satria Muda since the core of their line-up are still together.
Even though the Patriots’ local line-up are hands down the most athletic, it’s their chemistry that will be a factor in the first half of the season.
Patriots last year are worst team i ever seen from Philippines But still manage to get the crown.
Again i repeat, i like to see all new colegiate player, not a star player, just a role player is enough. I seen 2 good players from Perpetual Help Atlas and 1 on FEU,perhaps they can sign them!
I dont want to see any more patriots player from last year.
This time Patriots signed Alex Crisano?? this chap no active in basketball for couple of years now.
He is not a scorer. He is considered as bad boy and import stopper,same as Dennis Rodman? get ready to rumble!