ABL: Alab Pilipinas turns back Singapore

Photo from Asean Basketball League Facebook page

BIÑAN – Alab Pilipinas underlined its title credentials by conquering the league-leading Singapore Slingers for the first time this season with a narrow 74-72 victory Friday night in the Asean Basketball League at Alonte Sports Arena here.

Ray Parks finished with a game high 17 points, but it was the timely triples from Jeric Fortuna that helped Alab withstand a late surge by the Slingers and improve to 4-2.

Fortuna poured 12 points, highlighted by back to back triples midway in the fourth period that kept the Slingers at bay.

It was sweet revenge for the Filipinos after beating a Singapore team that has dealt them their two losses this season.

Lawrence Domingo had 12 points and 14 rebounds while import James Hughes tallied eight points and 15 boards apart from holding his ground against Singapore import Justin Howard who was held to 5-of-19 shooting.

The Slingers came within, 72-74, after a triple from Xavier Alexander with 42.6 seconds left. A five second violation called on Parks gave the Slingers a chance to force overtime, but Alexander, challenged by three Alab players at the rim, missed a potential game tying lay-up.

It was just the second loss in nine games for the Slingers.

The Scores

ALAB PILIPINAS 74 – Parks, Jr. 17, Domingo 14, Fortuna 12, Hughes 8, Carter 6, Acuña 6, Celiz 4, Hubalde 3, Gavieres 2, Mendoza 2, Cawaling 0, Knuttel 0.

SINGAPORE SLINGERS 72- Alexander 24, Wei Long 14, Howard 13, Austria 3, Ng 3, Folkoff 3, Kwek 12, Oh 0, Lim 0.

QUARTER SCORES: 17-10, 37-27, 55-46, 74-72