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A new year and a fresh start look like just what the Indonesia Warriors needed.

Coming off a disappointing season in which they missed the playoffs, the Warriors made a strong start to their third season in the Asean Basketball League with a 79-59 victory at the Singapore Slingers on Sunday.

Point guard Mario Wuysang led the Warriors, previously known as Satria Muda Britama, with 23 points and four steals. American imports Steve Thomas and Larry Smith also starred, with Thomas finishing with 20 points and 14 rebounds while Smith scored 17 points, and Rony Gunawan grabbed 10 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes.

Indonesia coach Todd Purves kept a short bench, with just eight Warriors seeing the court at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“I’m happy with our performance today, and I hope we can put in such an effort and teamwork in the next game,” the American coach said.

The Warriors jumped on Singapore early and kept up the pressure, taking a quick 13-3 lead and leading 22-9 after the first quarter. The Slingers made a charge in the third quarter and cut the deficit to 15 points, but a comeback was not in the cards.

Mario, who was voted the top local player in the ABL last year, hailed the Warriors’ imports after the game.

“Those two guys are two solid players. They played great today. I’m very happy with their contributions,” he said.

Louis Graham led Singapore with 23 points, 23 rebounds and three blocked shots while fellow import Donald Little added 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Slingers struggled mightily from the field, shooting just 4 of 27 on 3-pointers (15 percent) and 20 of 66 overall (30 percent).

In Saturday’s ABL season opener, the AirAsia Philippines Patriots routed the expansion side Bangkok Cobras 86-58 at San Juan Gym in Manila. Former Satria Muda standout Nakiea Miller led the Patriots with 28 points, 18 rebounds and four blocked shots while Anthony Johnson scored 17 points.

On Sunday, the Westport Malaysia Dragons welcomed the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippines to the ABL with an 83-77 overtime win in Kuala Lumpur. Tiras Wade scored 28 points and Brian Williams had 26 and 23 rebounds for the Dragons, who visit Britama Arena in Jakarta on Jan. 21 to take on the Warriors.

The defending champion Chang Thailand Slammers beat another newcomer, the Saigon Heat, 78-58 in Bangkok. DeAndre Thomas led the Slammers with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Kenneth Walker had 15 points and 14 rebounds and Attaporn Lertmalaiporn scored 15 points. Julius Hodge carried Saigon with 37 points and 15 rebounds.