Mono sends ABL Finals to sudden death

The Vampires bounced back from a stinging Game 3 defeat by pouncing on an error-prone Alab squad which stayed in step with them until the end. (Photo: Mono Vampire Basketball Club/Facebook)

MANILA — Mono Vampire stayed alive in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) Finals after pipping Alab Pilipinas, 88-83, in Game 4 of the best-of-five series at the Stadium 29 in Bangkok on Monday night.

The Vampires bounced back from a stinging Game 3 defeat by pouncing on an error-prone Alab squad which stayed in step with them until the end.

Mike Singletary and Sam Deguara each tallied 20 points for Mono, which brought the series back to Santa Rosa City in Laguna province for the deciding match on Wednesday night.

Paul Zamar struggled from the field with 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting, but his last shot, a teardrop with only 18 seconds left, made the difference as Mono iced the game from there.

Chitchai Ananti made a return and tallied six markers on a perfect 2-for-2 field goal and 2-for-2 free throw shooting.

Ray-Ray Parks followed up on his 30-point explosion on Saturday night with a 21-point performance, but he struggled inside the arc, only making 4-of-12 shots.

Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee were each limited to only 18 points while combining for 15 of Alab’s 26 turnovers.