Manchester Millrats Head to the Far East
Published on December 26, 2007 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Saint John Riptide News Release
Manchester, NH: The Manchester Millrats of the American Basketball Association (ABA) are headed to the far east country of Singapore to face the Beijing Aoshen Olympians on January 7th and 8th.
Currently the #2 Millrats would be the highest ranked team to travel to Singapore to face Beijing. The Aoshen Olympians recently defeated the Houston Takers by a combined 60 points in two games.
"Beijing was a top ranked ABA team last season when they played in America, and this year is no different," explained Millrats Head Coach Larry Lessett, "this will be a difficult test for our guys with the travel but we look forward to the experience."
Beijing is led by 2007 Los Angeles Lakers draft pick and perennial ABA All Star, 6'9 point guard Sun Yue. The Millrats are led by 5'11 point guard Anthony Anderson (18.3 ppg, 5.5 apg), 6'0 guard Ismael Caro (18.8 ppg, 7.1 apg), and 2007 ABA All Star 6'7 forward Rob Sanders (17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg).
The trip is part of an international series arranged between the ABA and the Beijing Aoshen to bring exciting fan friendly, affordable basketball to the Far East, and the games will count in the ABA standings.
"We are working diligently on getting these games back to the US via satellite," stated Joe Newman, ABA CEO. "We have everything in place - an agreement with CoLour TV as well as Asian KyLin TV. We are also working with Global Broadcasting. If we can get the satellite feed, people all over the world will be able to see these exciting games. And from our understanding, the interest in Singapore is enormous. We are very excited."
To make the trip possible, the Millrats have canceled their scheduled home game on January 6 versus the Quebec Kebs, and the Jersey Express will take the Millrats place at Boston on January 5th.
In the meantime, the Millrats travel to Quebec City Friday December 28th, seeking revenge on the Kebs, who have knocked off Manchester twice this season. The final home game of 2007 and the last one prior to the Far East trek, is next Sunday December 30th - as the defending ABA Champion Vermont Frost Heaves come to Southern New Hampshire University at 4:35 pm. Tickets are available at the door, online at www.manchestermillrats.com, or by calling 1-866-9-GET TIX.
All Manchester Millrats games are 'events'. Each game is headlined by a host of entertainment and family fun including exciting basketball, music, live singer(s), our mascot - Milly the Millrat, the Pink Sapphire Dancers, fun contests, a halftime show, and the Spindel Eye Associates $10,000 Hot Shot Challenge!
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from December 26, 2007
- Manchester Millrats Head to the Far East - Saint John Riptide
- Christmas in New York City - NYC Internationalz
- ABA explores spring men's, women's league with Global Basketball Alliance - ABA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
