KUALA LUMPUR - The Singapore Slingers failed in their quest to land their first Asean Basketball League (ABL) title, as they were defeated 77-65 by the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the winner-takes-all Game Five of the ABL Finals at the Maba Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

The win gave the Dragons a 3-2 series win, as well as their first ABL title, after finishing second last season.

In front of their raucous, 2,000-strong home crowd, the Dragons got off to a strong start with a 16-9 first quarter, and never relinquished their lead as the Slingers struggled with their offence.

The Dragons' Filipino import Jason Brickman was the star of the game with 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, earning him the Finals Most Valuable Player.

His team-mates also chipped in, with Calvin Godfrey (13 points), Reginald Johnson (21 points) and Matthew Wright (16 points) getting into double figures.

The Slingers centre Justin Howard had 27 points, but Filipino guard Kris Rosales (22 points) was the only other player in double figures. American forward Xavier Alexander endured four trouble, before fouling out with only four points.