Sports World: Mono fend off valiant Slingers at the death

Mono fend off valiant Slingers at the death

The Singapore Slingers mounted a courageous comeback from 38-60 to 79-79 but Mono Vampire found an extra gear to win 91-88 in their Asean Basketball League match at the OCBC Arena last night.

Malta's 2.25m centre Samuel Deguara was an imposing physical presence throughout as he posted 26 points and a game-high 18 rebounds for Thailand's Mono, who improved their win-loss record to 7-4.

The Slingers (5-6) travel to Kuala Lumpur next, where they will play Malaysia Dragons (3-4) tomorrow.


Late Asensio winner spares Real's blushes

MADRID • A last-gasp goal from Marco Asensio gave a virtually second-string Real Madrid a 1-0 Spanish Cup quarter-final, first-leg win at Leganes on Thursday.

That ended a run of three matches without a win for Zinedine Zidane's struggling side. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were all left out of the match. The second leg will be played next week.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


In-demand Goretzka plumps for Bayern

BERLIN • Schalke confirmed yesterday that Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka will join Bayern Munich at the end of this season on a free transfer, with the Bundesliga leaders beating Liverpool to his signature.

Goretzka, 22, has scored six goals in 12 appearances for his country and made his breakthrough at the 2017 Confederations Cup which Germany won.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Exhaustion lands Pele in Brazil hospital

SAO PAULO • Brazilian football legend Pele has collapsed with exhaustion and cancelled a trip to London this weekend, the Football Writers Association (FWA) said yesterday.

The FWA was due to host a dinner in his honour at the Savoy hotel tomorrow but said the 77-year-old would not make it. Pele has had kidney and prostrate problems in recent years. He appeared in a wheelchair in Moscow last month for the World Cup draw.

REUTERS


Career-best round puts Rahm on top

LOS ANGELES • Spaniard Jon Rahm carded his lowest score on the PGA Tour, a bogey-free 10-under 62, for a one-stroke lead after the first round at the CareerBuilder Challenge in the California desert on Thursday.

Rahm roared off the starting line in a round that included an eagle and eight birdies at La Quinta Country Club. Americans Andrew Landry, Jason Kokrak and Austin Cook shared second place on 63.

REUTERS


Cycling head calls for Froome suspension

LONDON • Team Sky should suspend Chris Froome until an investigation into his failed drug test for an asthma medication is over, according to International Cycling Union (UCI) president David Lappartient.

The four-time Tour de France winner, who denies breaking any rules, could potentially be stripped of his Vuelta a Espana title after a urine test he took during the race in September showed excessive levels of salbutamol.

It is permitted as a legal asthma drug by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the UCI said Froome's failed urine test did not necessitate a mandatory provisional suspension.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 20, 2018, with the headline Sports World: Mono fend off valiant Slingers at the death. Subscribe