MARTIN Cattalini had a team-high 19 points in his comeback but it was the man that took his place in the squad that led the Cairns Taipans to a come-from-behind win in Singapore last night.

Dwayne Vale scored 16 of his 18 points in the last quarter to help Cairns to a 99-87 win against the Slingers
in Singapore.

The Taipans rebounded poorly early in the game and were no match for the home side, going to the opening break trailing by 11 points – a margin the Slingers opened to 15 early in the second term.

Cairns fought back to within four at halftime but the Slingers, who managed their first road win of the season in Cairns last month, were proving stubborn and were still in front at the final change.

Taipans coach Alan Black changed his offence in the final period, with the Snakes constantly going to Vale sitting unmarked in the corner.

The rookie guard finished with a perfect shooting record from the field and sapped the Slingers spirits with four successful three-pointers in the final term.

While Singapore's bench players contributed to their win in Cairns, Black said going into the game he had great confidence in his reserves – players like Vale, Scott Cook and Matt Smith – to get the job done for the Taipans.

"A lot of times it’s been someone different," Black said of his range of match-winners. "When your bench does that it’s terrific."

Vale was not even in the Taipans’ top 10 at the start of the season but knew that in his third year as a development player it was crucial he make the most of the chances that came his way.

What was thought to have been a season-ending injury to Cattalini gave Vale a place as a contracted player and while Cattalini made an early return last night, Vale kept his place with Darnell Mee still out injured.

Black said he had the confidence to go to any of his players in clutch situations.

"I think you’ve got to earn that right and I think that all the guys have earnt their opportunities," he said.

While Vale was the late star, Cattalini also had a big impact on the game, finishing as his side’s top scorer and keeping the Taipans in the match.

The forward, who returned from an achilles operation, scored seven unanswered points at one stage in the second term to almost single-handedly keep the Snakes in the hunt.

The win keeps the Taipans in fifth place on the ladder ahead of this weekend’s double against the Crocs in Townsville on Friday and Adelaide in Cairns on Saturday night.