Game Sunday
(Baliwag Star Arena, Bulacan)
8 p.m. – Alab Pilipinas vs Kaohsiung
The debut of the Bobby Ray Parks-led Alab Pilipinas was spoiled Sunday night after squandering a 10-point deficit in the 71-66 loss to the Singapore Slingers in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Parks finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks but Alab failed to sustain a 42-32 third quarter lead much to the dismay of the good-sized crowd that saw Alab’s first-ever game in the regional cage league.
Imports Justin Howard and Xavier Alexander and locals Wong Wei Long and Leon Kwek powered the Slingers comeback to gain the early lead in the six-team tourney with their second straight victory.
Korean center Seung Jun Lee had 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while former PBA guard Jeric Fortuna added 10 points for Alab Pilipinas, which played without second world import Lee Dong-Jun after being barred to board a plane in Korea because of sickness.
“There were stretches that we played well, there were stretches that we played really, really bad,” said Alab Pilipinas coach Mac Cuan. “I’m OK that (this loss) happened this early so they can realize what I’m trying to instill to them. We play as a team and if we play one-on-one, we will not win.”
The former NBA D-League cager engaged in a competitive duel with Alexander, blocking him thrice during the contest.
But Alexander had the last laugh when he threw a one-handed dunk over Parks during Singapore rally in the third that amazed the audience.