Newcomer Alab Pilipinas quickly found out that having a talented roster just won’t cut it against the team to beat in the Asean Basketball League.
The Singapore Slingers, last season’s losing finalists, spoiled the Filipinos’ home debut with a 71-66 decision Sunday night for their second straight victory at Alonte Gym in Biñan, Laguna.
“There’s no question that we have the talent, but I’ve been telling them we can’t win with just talent,” said Alab coach Mac Cuan.
“There were stretches that we played well and there were stretches that we played really, really bad.”
Former NBA D-League campaigner Bobby Ray Parks proved solid in his ABL debut, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. But his pass to Korean import Lee Seung-jun in Alab’s final play was intercepted by Justin Howard, leading to Leon Kwek’s insurance free throws for the final count.
Carrying the momentum of their 80-62 demolition of defending champion Westsports Malaysia Dragon last Friday in the season opener, the Slingers rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half behind Howard, who had 22 points and 20 rebounds.
The burly import gave the Slingers a 67-64 lead after hitting a jumper with 1:24 remaining only for Parks to cut the deficit with two free throws.
Singapore’s other import, Xavier Alexander, finished with 15 points including a dunk on Parks, who had blocked the American’s attempt in the first period.
Alab missed its other reinforcement, Lee Dong Jun, who is still recovering from illness.
Over at Kaohsiung Senior High School Gymnasium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions repulsed Kaohsiung Truth, 90-79, in a battle of expansion teams.
Marcus Elliot fired 30 points, while Patrick Sullivan contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Lions, who used their full-court press to take the Truth out of their rhythm for a 39-17 early in the second period.