ABL: Alab slides to fourth after loss to Chong Son

FILE – Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Alab Pilipinas reeled to their second straight loss after dropping a 92-79 decision to Chinese club Chong Son in the ASEAN Basketball League Sunday at Nanhai Gymnasium in Guangdong Province.

Both Alab and Kung Fu were in heated dispute for ownership of the second slot in the standings but it was the Chinese that planted its flag in the coveted piece of land, improving to 12-5 record while dealing the Filipinos their sixth loss in 17 games in the process.

Justin Howard capped off Chong Son’s blistering 26-8 run in the third quarter that put Kung Fu up, 72-52, with 1:46 left in the period.

Chong Son never let go of its lead and even bumped it to 23 points, 81-58, off He Chongren’s triple at the 8:39 mark of the fourth.

Kung Fu had three players finish above 20 points with Mikhael Mckinney leading the way with 26 points and 10 assists while Howard finished with 25 points and 16 boards and Anthony Tucker pitching in 23 points and eight assists.

Renaldo Balkman put up 29 points and eight boards to lead Alab as they slipped to the fourth spot in the standings.