Singletary to the rescue of Barako Bull
Filipino side rush to the top of Group B in Al Shabab Basketball Championship
Dubai: Michael Singletary was on song with a game high 28 points to shoot Barako Bull from the Philippines to the top of Group B on the second day of the Second Al Shabab Basketball Championship here late on Saturday.
Singletary’s contribution — nine points in the first two quarters and the bulk of 19 in the next two — was enough for the Filipino PBA side to get the better of second-string Zamalek from Egypt 80-72 to sit pretty at the top of Group B with two wins from as many matches.
Libya’s Al Ahli, losers to Barako Bull on the opening night on Friday, waited for a last-gasp flourish to push their way into the win margin with a 102-92 result against an underpar Team Unity in the second Group B encounter.
In a one-sided affair, Al Sahel of Kuwait never felt tested enough as they powered their way to a 104-65 mauling of University of Sharjah (UOS) in a Group A match.
Singletary was thrilled with his side’s second win on the trot. “It’s about the team and what I can contribute to help us succeed,” the American told Gulf News. “This side is like family to me. They play with so much heart and energy and I just feel so motivated to go out there and do my job,” he added.
Riding on Singletary’s eight points, Barako held a four-point cushion 22-18 at the end of the opening period but the young developmental team from Zamalek fought back to draw level 31-31 on the half-time hooter.
Zamalek started the third quarter on an aggressive note and held a five-point lead (49-44) but it was Singletary to the rescue once again with nine points including a couple of charities.
After entering the final period two points in arrears (53-55), Singletary outscored all others with 10 points while namesake Michael Pennisi looped in two triples to see the Filipinos safely home. “I think we will gain a lot of confidence after these two wins. We came here with the aim of getting ready for the next season, but since we have already found a good momentum we might as well set our sights on the title here,” Singletary said.
Zamalek coach Ahmad Adel Abdul Fattah, a former Egyptian star, was left fuming with his side’s performance. “We made far too many silly errors at crucial times and allowed them to slip through,” the coach said.
