Bob Turner believes that the Singapore Slingers have learnt a lot this season, and will continue to grow into a regional powerhouse.

By Vincent Lai

The Slingers' CEO was courtside at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to witness his teams' 86-76 loss to Satria Muda BritAma in Game 3 of the ASEAN Basketball League first round semi-final series, and though he was disappointed with the defeat, Turner was satisfied with his team's performance this season.

"[Satria Muda] are a tough team, as they proved last Wednesday," Turner told ESPNSTAR.com after the game. "Their two imports played well, and really led the team."

"I think the Singaporeans are the most pleasing aspect of the whole season. They can match anybody in this league."

"So, if we had won, it would have been a bonus; an icing on the cake as we get to the final. I think we're the one team that can shake the Patriots. We beat them two out of three."

"If we lost, it would still have been an unbelievable season, because we finally turned the corner and the Singapore Slingers are real, the ASEAN Basketball League is real. And it's only going to get bigger and better from here."

Turner did give his analysis of the game, and it boiled down to the inexperience of his young squad.

"We committed just rookie mistakes, not for the lack of effort, just rookie mistakes," the Slingers supremo added. "Six of our eight Singaporeans are under 23."

"If I look at the futures of these Singapore Slingers for the next ten years, they'll get better, and better, and better. Game in, game out, they're only going to get better."

"So, our future is sound, the league's future is sound, and I think it has been an exciting year. After four years of banging away, the Singapore Slingers are now real."

The Slingers' CEO did add that for his team to move forward, the locals have to improve and continue the strides they have made in their first professional season.

"I think experience is the biggest thing, but this whole year's been an experience for us," Turner said. "The [locals] have gotten better as the games have gone on."

"They have been in pressure situations and they have played well. Weijian has been very, very tough. Weilong is on [national] service, so it's hard for him to juggle playing and his service duties, but that'll happen. Steven Khoo will get bigger and better."

"That's the exciting part for us, and it's only the tip of the iceberg. This is the starting point of something very special for Singapore," concluded Turner.