Week 4 of the ABL had a little bit of everything. Outstanding individual performances, revenge games and come from behind victories. It also had the final team debut of the season, as Saigon Heat was unable to win their opening game of the season.
Find out which teams rose and fell this week. On to the rankings!
- Hong Kong Eastern Basketball Team (Record: 4-0)
Previous Week: 2
The defending champions have began their season with a grueling four game on the road trip. Their record? 4-0.
They just continue to get the job done, winning over a red hot Mono Vampire and in a Finals rematch against the Singapore Slingers. Early season Heritage Import MVP candidate Christian Standhardinger erupted for 40 points, and then defending Heritage Import MVP Tyler Lamb followed suit with 30 of his own.
They make their home debut against Alab Pilipinas this week in what should be an electric matchup.
- Chong Son Kung Fu Basketball Club (Record: 3-0)
Previous Week: 1
At least one team will surely have zero losses heading into 2018.
The other undefeated team in the ABL had their only remaining game of 2017 rescheduled, and as a result we will all have to wait for January 6, 2018 to see Chongson Kung-Fu back defend their unbleamished record and have a chance to reclaim their spot at the top of the power rankings.
That’s unfortunate to say the least.
- Mono Vampire Basketball Club (Record: 3-2)
Previous Week: 4
It was a solid week for Thailand’s finest, as they split their two games in a tough set of assignments this week.
They began by defeating the Singapore Slingers, before running into Hong Kong Eastern and bowing down. But despite that, they have still looked great. The imports of Mono Vampire have been excellent, but don’t sleep on the local production of Ratdech Kruatiwa and Teerawat Chanthachon. Those two have been been vital cogs inside and out in this great start for Mono Vampire.
- Singapore Slingers (Record: 2-3)
Previous Week: 3
The strengths and weaknesses of the Singapore Slingers are pretty clear: They are one of the stingiest teams in scoring, but they struggle to make enough baskets to capitalize on that as well.
The are the 3rd best team on defense (80.6 Points Allowed per Game) but they are also the 3rd worst team on offense as well (77.6 Points Per Game).
They have smart, capable defenders led by Xavier Alexander, but they’re missing the scoring ability of guards like Wong Wei Long to spread the floor. A bright spot for the team has been Delvin Goh, who is averaging 7.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
Perhaps the imminent return of Leon Kwek to the roster will help?
- Formosa Dreamers (Record: 1-2)
Previous Week: 8
What a way to pick up the first win of the season for the Formosa Dreamers.
Down by as many as 15 points in the second half, the team made a comeback behind Lenny Daniel and Yang Tian You, willing the Dreamers to an upset victory against the debuting Saigon Heat.
Daniel, the former Heat Import, played his emotions close to his chest for most of the game. But when he sank the final free throws to put the game away, he let out a scream that showed how badly he wanted the win.
The Dreamers also showed a glimpse of their potential, as they got good production from the local players as well.
They will be making their home debut this week in an exciting set of back-to-back games.
- Westports Malaysia Dragons (Record: 1-2)
Previous Week: 6
The Dragons’ Den will be silent for the remainder of 2017, as the Dragons wait until January 3, 2018 for their next game. In the meantime, getting Marcus Marshall healthy and incorporating Curtis Washington has to be the most important objective the team accomplishes during the long break.
- CLS Knights Indonesia (Record: 1-3)
Previous Week: 5
Perhaps it’s fitting that the Knights get the week off, because it will have to take a lot to get over the heartbreaking loss to Hong Kong Eastern.
But that’s life in the ABL.
The next team on their docket is the Singapore Slingers, losers of two straight games. If there’s any challenge that the Knights have to overcome, it’s this. A struggling team playing on their home floor that the visiting defending champions barely won on?
The Knights need this one badly.
- Tanduay Alab Pilipinas (Record: 0-2)
Previous Week: 7
This figures to be a busy week for Tanduay Alab Pilipinas, as they look to get that elusive first win.
First up is a rematch against Hong Kong Eastern, then they travel to Taiwan as visitors in the first home game of the Formosa Dreamers. It hasn’t been the start that management envisioned for Alab, but there’s still a lot of time to right the ship.
- Saigon Heat (Record: 0-1)
Previous Week: NR
The Heat couldn’t have selected a worse way to lose their opening game than to be on the opposing end of a revenge game from Lenny Daniel.
But despite the loss, there’s a lot to be optimistic about. Akeem Scott and Travele Jones had great debuts, as they combined for 51 of the Heat’s 75 total points. But they need to find a way to get something from their locals, who were outscored 45-9 by their counterparts. They may still be feeling the effects of the recently concluded VBA season, but they are sorely needed for the Heat to avoid having another slow start to the season.
