Why the Chang-Thailand Slammers should win the ABL crown

Unpatriotic sentiments aside, the ASEAN Basketball League is starting to enjoy a growing number of fanbase here and abroad (a quick jump to their Facebook page reveals 11,283 followers and counting). And while the level of talent is still not at par with some of Asia's commercial leagues, it's nice to see the sport growing in popularity (and Filipinos flourishing of course).

While much of the success should be credited to the genius of Harbour Center's Mikee Romero and that rich Malaysian mogul behind Air Asia (who are now both bankrolling the Philippine Patriots), credit should also be given to the whole league landing a TV deal with ESPN Star Sports. That alone puts it in a higher pedestal than FIBA tournaments held at this side of the world.

That being said, let's go back as to why a title for the Chang-Thailand Slammers (who are up 1-0) at the expense of the Patriots would prove to be a blessing rather than a boon for the ABL.

1. Competitive balance
The Slammers finished dead last in the inaugural season, but ended the 2nd season atop with an impressive 11-4 record. How did they do it? By adding Patriots original big man import Jason Dixon and throwing in a couple of hard-nosed Filipinos such as the speedy Froilan Baguion and all-around goon Ardy Larong. But it wasn't just the Slammers, almost everyone bought into the Pinoy import trend with the Singapore Slingers being the sole team in the ABL that fields just one (point guard Al Vergara). Hell, even the Brunei Barracudas head coach is former Fedex man Bong Ramos.

2. Marketability
Who would want to watch a league that features a Filipino team night in and night out? An unrivaled squad that you just know would win every single game by the sheer difference in talent and skill alone (and by getting better imports than the other teams)? This goes back to having a competitive balance in the league, now that we all know the Patriots are beatable, there's more interest, specially among football-crazy ASEAN countries (or whatever sport they play).

3. Interest
If the Slammers beat the Patriots, a great buzz among basketball fans who take the ABL lightly would automatically be generated. Despite having Filipinos in their line-up, the Slammers are still considered as a Thai team (they have three sharpshooters, whose names I can't even spell or pronounce by memory), as is the rest of the ABL squads. It won't be a win for the Slammers, but a win by the Thai over the Filipinos. And that alone, basketball-headlines wise, would be HUGE. (Note the all caps).

Of course, these are all probabilities IF the Slammers could somehow win Game 2 in Manila (unlikely) or back home (50-50). The biggest key to the series in my book would be Gabe Freeman's approach. We all know that Freeman's the best player in the whole ABL roster, so this series is really up to him. And I just don't see him losing in the Finals, on Philippine soil in Game 2 or even in a hostile environment (not when I expect him to suit up for San Miguel yet again).

Personally, I'd love to see how the Egay Billones (Patriots) - Baguion (Slammers) match-up goes down.

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