red_real_animo
May 3, 2008, 02:22 AM
http://www.singaporeslingers.com/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=74859
Two-Time Philippines MVP Signs with Slingers
Friday, 2 May 2008
The Singapore Slingers today completed arguably the transfer coup of their off-season with the capture of the reigning two-time Most Valuable Player of the Philippines Basketball League (PBL) - 21-year-old sensation Jason Castro from his current team Harbour Centre.
Castro's signing has been hailed in his home country as a ground breaking move which will see him ply his talent professionally outside of basketball-mad Philippines and possibly open doors for other countrymen to do the same.
In fact, the official signing of the diminutive but lightning-quick playmaker was such a big deal that it was completed in the presence of a television camera from the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network, one of the biggest television networks in the country.
ABS-CBN has intimated that Castro's Slingers debut in the NBL on September 17th could "feature a live cross from the Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS)". Bob Tuner has also started discussions on the possibility that the network, or others who follow all levels of the game in the country, might even telecast all of the Slingers' home games at the SIS so that Castro's legion of fans back home can track his progress.
Speaking from Manila after the landmark signing event, Slingers' Managing Director Bob Turner was effusive in his praise for the 5"9' point guard.
"He is only small, but after seeing Jason play last night here in Manila, we have absolutely no doubt that he will be a huge hit in Singapore", said Turner, who was barely able to disguise his delight at finally capturing Castro's signature after a 12-month chase.
"All the basketball-mad folks in the Philippines will also be tracking his progress on a weekly basis, such is his popularity here." He has already asked to play in the number 17 jersey, and given the fact we open our season on the 17th of September we hope that is a good omen."
Thanking all those who were involved in making this 'dream move' possible, Castro promised to give his all to help the Slingers better their disappointing finish last season. He said: "It is an honour to be able to play for the Slingers and become the first Filipino to play in the NBL. To be able to play in a multi-national team like the Slingers would be a great experience so I am looking forward to it."
Castro's signing will no doubt be able to help the Slingers off the court as well by attracting a good size following amongst the estimated 100,000-strong Filipino community in Singapore.
Added Turner: "Basketball is by far the No.1 sport in the Philippines and Jason becoming the first Filipino to sign a pro contract with us to play in the highly competitive Australian NBL will open doors not only for Philippines basketball, but for the Slingers as well, making it a win-win situation for all."
"Hence this signing is another ground breaking move for the Slingers as it makes us one of the most relevant professional teams in Southeast Asia. Darren Ng's signing from Adelaide earlier last week - with his Malaysian roots and relatives based in Singapore - will give the Slingers an All-Asian backcourt which is a significant move for our organisation."
"I reckon Jason will be something for the basketball starved Filipino community in Singapore to come and watch, and playing alongside Darren Ng will be something I personally am eager to see, especially after watching him last night. Together with Darren and the other key signings I'm confident that we can pull in a substantial crowd for every one of our upcoming home games in the new season."
Together with the re-signing power forward Blagoj Janev and point guards Shane MacDonald and John Fitzgerald, along with the announcement last week about the recruitment of man-mountain Australian center Sam Harris, the Slingers' new-look line-up, which will be again led by skipper Ben Knight, is already looking promising for the HUMMER NBL 2008/09 season.
Standing at an impressive 7"4' (2.21m), Harris is just 2" shorter than Houston Rockets? Chinese superstar Yao Ming, and is touted as the tallest player ever in NBL history, giving the Slingers the aggression and presence they lacked on the boards last season.
The Slingers are also still on the look-out for two new American imports to complete their line-up for the new season, following the departure of last season's MVP Rod Grizzard and crowd favourite Mike Helms. Turner and Operations Manager Michael Johnson will be watching a prospect in the professional PBA League in Manila tonight.
Two-Time Philippines MVP Signs with Slingers
Friday, 2 May 2008
The Singapore Slingers today completed arguably the transfer coup of their off-season with the capture of the reigning two-time Most Valuable Player of the Philippines Basketball League (PBL) - 21-year-old sensation Jason Castro from his current team Harbour Centre.
Castro's signing has been hailed in his home country as a ground breaking move which will see him ply his talent professionally outside of basketball-mad Philippines and possibly open doors for other countrymen to do the same.
In fact, the official signing of the diminutive but lightning-quick playmaker was such a big deal that it was completed in the presence of a television camera from the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network, one of the biggest television networks in the country.
ABS-CBN has intimated that Castro's Slingers debut in the NBL on September 17th could "feature a live cross from the Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS)". Bob Tuner has also started discussions on the possibility that the network, or others who follow all levels of the game in the country, might even telecast all of the Slingers' home games at the SIS so that Castro's legion of fans back home can track his progress.
Speaking from Manila after the landmark signing event, Slingers' Managing Director Bob Turner was effusive in his praise for the 5"9' point guard.
"He is only small, but after seeing Jason play last night here in Manila, we have absolutely no doubt that he will be a huge hit in Singapore", said Turner, who was barely able to disguise his delight at finally capturing Castro's signature after a 12-month chase.
"All the basketball-mad folks in the Philippines will also be tracking his progress on a weekly basis, such is his popularity here." He has already asked to play in the number 17 jersey, and given the fact we open our season on the 17th of September we hope that is a good omen."
Thanking all those who were involved in making this 'dream move' possible, Castro promised to give his all to help the Slingers better their disappointing finish last season. He said: "It is an honour to be able to play for the Slingers and become the first Filipino to play in the NBL. To be able to play in a multi-national team like the Slingers would be a great experience so I am looking forward to it."
Castro's signing will no doubt be able to help the Slingers off the court as well by attracting a good size following amongst the estimated 100,000-strong Filipino community in Singapore.
Added Turner: "Basketball is by far the No.1 sport in the Philippines and Jason becoming the first Filipino to sign a pro contract with us to play in the highly competitive Australian NBL will open doors not only for Philippines basketball, but for the Slingers as well, making it a win-win situation for all."
"Hence this signing is another ground breaking move for the Slingers as it makes us one of the most relevant professional teams in Southeast Asia. Darren Ng's signing from Adelaide earlier last week - with his Malaysian roots and relatives based in Singapore - will give the Slingers an All-Asian backcourt which is a significant move for our organisation."
"I reckon Jason will be something for the basketball starved Filipino community in Singapore to come and watch, and playing alongside Darren Ng will be something I personally am eager to see, especially after watching him last night. Together with Darren and the other key signings I'm confident that we can pull in a substantial crowd for every one of our upcoming home games in the new season."
Together with the re-signing power forward Blagoj Janev and point guards Shane MacDonald and John Fitzgerald, along with the announcement last week about the recruitment of man-mountain Australian center Sam Harris, the Slingers' new-look line-up, which will be again led by skipper Ben Knight, is already looking promising for the HUMMER NBL 2008/09 season.
Standing at an impressive 7"4' (2.21m), Harris is just 2" shorter than Houston Rockets? Chinese superstar Yao Ming, and is touted as the tallest player ever in NBL history, giving the Slingers the aggression and presence they lacked on the boards last season.
The Slingers are also still on the look-out for two new American imports to complete their line-up for the new season, following the departure of last season's MVP Rod Grizzard and crowd favourite Mike Helms. Turner and Operations Manager Michael Johnson will be watching a prospect in the professional PBA League in Manila tonight.