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The confines of Mahaka Square have been less than friendly to the Indonesia Warriors in the third edition of the Asean Basketball League.

Having lost three of their four home games, the Warriors hope to reclaim home advantage today when they host the Singapore Slingers at Kelapa Gading Sports Mall. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.

Sixth-place Indonesia is 1-3 at home and 3-4 overall. It has reason for optimism, though, as the Slingers, who lost 79-59 to the Warriors at Singapore Indoor Stadium in the Jan. 15 season-opener, come to town.

“I expect a great game. This is very important game because we move into fourth place with a win. We will play very hard,” Warriors coach Todd Purves said on Friday.

Victory over the Slingers would break a three-way tie for fifth on six points between the Chang Thai Slammers (3-5), Indonesia and the Bangkok Cobras (3-4). Singapore (4-4) is fourth with eight points.

Momentum from the Singapore win dissipated after home losses to the Westports Malaysia Dragons and Slammers and a defeat at the Philippines Patriots. Wins over the Saigon Heat and Cobras righted the ship before the latest loss in Jakarta, a 77-61 defeat to the San Miguel Beermen.

With the Patriots, Dragons and Beermen setting the pace in the ABL, Purves knows his team can’t afford to drop many more points.

“The Slingers bounced back and I’m sure they are better this time. I think they will compete for the playoffs,” he said.

Elsewhere today, the Beermen host Malaysia. On Sunday, Saigon hosts the Slammers and the Patriots welcome Bangkok.