JONAS TERRADO
Game Wednesday (Southorn Stadium, Hong Kong)
8 p.m. — Hong Kong vs Alab Pilipinas
(Hong Kong leads series 1-0)
Defending champion San Miguel Alab Pilipinas fights for dear life as it attempts to force Hong Kong Eastern to a rubber match in Game 2 of their best-of-three ASEAN Basketball League quarterfinals at Southorn Stadium.
Pushed to the limit after a heartbreaking loss in Lapu-Lapu City, Alab wants nothing than to put its best performance yet and keep its title reign alive in the game set at 8 p.m.
The late season slump took a toll on Alab in Friday’s series opener and fell 90-88 Friday evening as Ray Parks Jr’s game-tying attempt was blocked by Hong Kong’s Michael Holyfield at the buzzer.
Parks, imports Renaldo Balkman and PJ Ramos, Ethan Alvano and Caelan Tiongson are eager to atone for their missed opportunity and send the series to a third game on Sunday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Balkman is coming off a 30-point, 13-rebound, seven-assist outing but his effort on both ends won’t be enough without support from the bench.
Brandon Rosser and Paolo Javelona accounted for just 10 bench points for Alab with key veteran guard Josh Urbiztondo going scoreless.
Hong Kong is hungry to finish off Alab and avenge last year’s loss in the semifijnals.
Imports OD Bassett, Marcus Elliott and Holyfield and Game 1 hero Tsz Lai Lau will be on Alab’s radar.
