Will Mono Vampire make a triumphant return to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup?
BANGKOK (FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018 SEABA Qualifier) - Mono Vampire have their eyes set on a strong return trip to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018.
To do that, however, the top Thai club team have to first hurdle the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018 SEABA Qualifier in Nonthaburi from 8-10 May against some of the other top pro sides in Southeast Asia. Joining Mono Vampire in the tournament are Indonesia's Pelita Jaya, Malaysia's Red Baron and Singapore's Xin Hua.
| Mono Vampire BC Thailand roster for FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018 SEABA Qualifier | |||
| Chitchai Ananti | Darongpan Apiromvilaichai | Sirapong Boonyai | Jason Brickman |
| Teerawat Chanthachon | Suppawich Khukhandhin | Chanachon Klahan | Arnat Phuangla |
| Ittichai Rermsoongnern | Mike Singletary | Sorot Sunthonsiri | |
What Mono Vampire have going for them will be experience. They have a number of players who also played in last year's FIBA Asia Champions Cup, and their presence and production will no doubt be crucial in the Thais' bid to dominate this stage of the Qualifiers. The returnees are led by their foreign players Jason Brickman and Mike Singletary. Filipino point guard Brickman led last year's competition in assists, and his fine playmaking should be one of the team's strengths once more. Singletary led the team in scoring last year, and he will remain as the team's top offensive weapon anew. Also coming back strong are top local big man Teerawat Chanthachon, shooter Darongpan Apiromvilaichai, and veterans Chanachon Klahan, Arnat Phuangla, Sorot Sunthonsiri and Sirapong Boonyai.
What Mono Vampire won't have, though, is a lot of size, but at this level, that won't be a game-changer just yet. The inside play of seasoned national team mainstays Chanthachon and Klahan should give this team strong enough frontline against their SEABA opponents. They will also miss the services of foreign players Sam Deguara (Maltese) and Paul Zamar (Filipino), who have played key roles for the team this season but won't be around in the SEABA Qualifier.
Mono Vampire are aiming at a top two finish in Nonthaburi. Achieving that will advance them to the "Road to Final 8 (East Asia)" round of the tournament, with teams from Chinese Taipei and India already waiting. The top club team of that round will be grouped with club teams from Australia, Japan and the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018 Final 8.
FIBA
