Alab acquires third victory in a row

Puerto Rican Renaldo Balkman led the way for Team Philippines with 31 points, six rebounds, and four steals. (Photo: ASEAN Basketball League/Facebook)

Puerto Rican Renaldo Balkman led the way for Team Philippines with 31 points, six rebounds, and four steals. He scored 11 of those points in the third quarter alone. PJ Ramos, who had just returned from a one-game suspension, also contributed a double-double performance with 16 points and 19 rebounds, while Bobby Ray Parks chipped nine points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Lawrence Domingo and Pao Javelona both scored eight. San Miguel Alab now totals 16 wins and three losses for their standing, clinching a spot with certainty into the playoffs.

As for Team Thailand, Malcolm White fought for the Thailand representatives with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Mike Singletary added 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Tyler Lamb contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, but the home team had to settle with a 5-14 standing after their finals run. The team struggled especially with Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import Romeo Travis having to sit out of the game due to injury. After Ramos’s dunk midway into the fourth quarter, their opponents had secured the win with a 20-point lead. The team unfortunately reminisced to when Alab beat them at the same venue during the finals last year.

San Miguel Alab will try to continue their winning run on February 27 at the University of Macau Sports Complex against the Macau Black Bears. Mono Vampire will try to redeem themselves on the same day, facing the Westports Malaysia Dragons at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.