Game Today
(House of Champions,
Cyberjaya)
2:30 p.m. – Malaysia vs Alab PH
JR Cawaling and Robby Celiz made big contributions even as Ray Parks Jr. hit a crucial three-pointer late as Alab Pilipinas turned back the struggling defending champion Westports Malaysia Dragons, 87-79, Friday night in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Star Arena in Baliwag, Bulacan.
Cawaling and Celiz scored 14 points apiece to highlight a productive evening for the local players and give Alab its second straight victory and an 8-4 record with eight games left in the quadruple-round eliminations.
However, Alab had to stave off a late comeback by the Dragons, who got to within three, 80-77, on a three by Fil-American Joshua Munzon with 58 seconds remaining.
But Parks, Alab’s resident star, responded by hitting a three of his own with 34 seconds remaining to make it 83-77 for the home team.
Parks and American import Sampson Carter topscored with 15 points apiece while James Hughes posted 14 points and 18 rebounds in leading Alab to its second straight win following a stunning 72-65 home defeat to the Saigon Heat two weeks ago in Davao City.
Alab won despite having a hard time defending Malaysia’s world import Kiwi Gardner, who scored 30 points, and Munzon with 20 points. The Dragons dropped to 2-10.
It was the second straight win against Malaysia by Alab, which hopes to do it again today when the two sides clash at 2:30 p.m. at the House of Champions in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
