Game Today
(OCBC Arena, Singapore)
4 p.m. – Singapore vs Alab Pilipinas
The resolve of Alab Pilipinas following a stunning loss last weekend will be put to the test as it battles the Singapore Slingers in a crucial battle today in the ASEAN Basketball League at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
Tipoff is set at 4 p.m. with Alab needing to beat the host Slingers for the second straight time to stay within track in the race for the top two entering the latter half of the league’s 20-game elimination round.
But what perhaps motivate the Filipino cagers more is to bounce back from their stunning 72-65 loss to the Saigon Heat exactly a week ago at the Almendras Gym in Davao City.
In that game, Alab squandered a 13-point fourth quarter lead and eight with five minutes remaining in the fourth, thus dropping to 6-4.
Alab is 2.5 games off the second-running Singapore, which improved to 10-3 after a hard-fought 113-110 overtime victory over the struggling defending champion Westports Malaysia Dragons Friday night at the House of Champions in Cyberjaya.
Having the luxury of a week-long rest may benefit Alab, but needs to put on a gallant display like in its last meeting with Singapore last month – a 74-72 win at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
It will be Alab’s first visit to Singapore since late December when it fell 71-68 after struggling in the second half.
Much is expected for the Mac Cuan-coached Alab to redeem themselves in the Lion City, particularly with Ray Parks Jr., imports Sampson Carter and James Hughes, Lawrence Domingo and Jeric Fortuna leading the charge.
