COACH Ariel Vanguardia believes Westports Malaysia Dragons have hit rock bottom in the Asean Basketball League and the only way they can go is up when they take on Singapore Slingers today.
A four-match losing run means the Dragons (7-6) are looking over their shoulders with a place in the playoffs on the line and injuries to Brian Williams, Tiras Wade and K. Satyaseelan have not helped matters.
But Vanguardia is hopeful of a turnaround at the Singapore Indoor Stadium against a Slingers (5-9) team that have lost eight of their last nine, including 86-71 to the Dragons on Feb 19.
"We would love to play the Slingers the same way we did last time but we have injuries on our team and the Slingers are a different team too," said Vanguardia.
"In the last stretch of games, we had second half leads so we were never out of the game.
"There are just a few things we need to work on and the thing I like about our team is that we never give up.
"I believe we have hit the bottom and now, the only way we can go is up."
Dragons have replaced Donald Little, a stand-in for Williams in the last two games, with fellow American Devon Sullivan, who appeared in two games for the Saigon Heat earlier this season.
"I just want to help the Dragons get a win," said Sullivan, who joins Cheyenne Moore on the Dragons' roster.
"I'm a hard worker and I bring a lot of hustle plays to the team.
"I've only practised with the team once this (yesterday) morning before we left for Singapore but the practice was great.
"I'm ready to contribute. My teammates have been very welcoming and I look forward to winning with them."
RESULTS: Indonesia Warriors 69 San Miguel Beermen 71, Philippine Patriots 89 Thailand Slammers 68.
FIXTURES -- Today: Singapore Slingers v Malaysia Dragons (4pm). By Devinder Singh
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