Singapore Slingers' Ryan Wright shoots under the close attention of the Shanghai Sharks' Zhang Zhaoxu.

The centre scored 19 points, but his effort was in vain as the local basketball team lost 67-73 to the defending champions Sharks in yesterday's Merlion Cup semi-finals at the OCBC Arena.

The Chinese side will face the Adelaide 36ers in today's final.

Mitchell Creek starred for the Australian team with 27 points and 11 rebounds, as they beat Jeonju KCC Egis of South Korea 94-72.

The Slingers, who finished fourth last year, take on Jeonju in today's third-place match.