By JONAS TERRADO
San Miguel Alab Pilipinas coach Jimmy Alapag could only lament on the missed opportunities with new imports Justin Brownlee and John Fields after the ASEAN Basketball League was forced to suspend its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brownlee and Fields never got a chance to play a single game for Alab after the league postponed several games and eventually the season as the virus forced countries that have ABL teams to implement stricter preventive measures.
“Obviously we were all very disappointed we didn’t get a chance to see our team together with Justin and John on the court together,” Alapag told the Bulletin.
Alab was groomed for brighter things after securing the services of Brownlee, who in January led Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to the PBA Governors’ Cup title.
The team also signed Fields, who had an impressive stint with the Columbian Dyip in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and the Singapore Slingers in the previous ABL campaign.
Both were expected to boost Alab’s title chances after dealing with a tipsy-turvy campaign with imports Adrian Forbes, Khalif Wyatt, Prince Williams and 7-foot-5 center Sam Deguara.
Brownlee and Fields were supposed to make their debut last March 7 against the Slingers in Singapore but the ABL was forced to postpone the game after the latter’s import Jameel McKay was put on quarantine.
“We were all excited about the possibility of making another run at the championship, but with the threat of the COVID-19 virus affecting the entire world, the ABL made the right decision to suspend the season indefinitely to protect everyone,” Alapag said.
Brownlee, Fields, third import Nick King and Fil-Americans Jason Brickman, Jeremiah Gray and Lawrence Domingo have since returned to the United States, but not before Alab owner Charlie Dy hosted a get-together for the team.
Alapag, on the other hand, continues to keep in touch with his players.
“Just keeping tabs with everyone,” he said. “The virus is obviously affecting everyone around the world. Just encouraging my guys to stay safe with their family and loved ones.”
