ALAB PILIPINAS. Photo from Asean Basketball League Facebook/Kuk Thew
BALIWAG — Alab Pilipinas team owner Charlie Dy confirmed that the Philippine squad is set to return next year for another go-round in the ASEAN Basketball League.
“We’re definitely coming back next season,” he bared to reporters after the squad’s semifinals exit at the hands of Singapore Slingers on Friday.
Finishing as the third-seed with an 11-9 eliminations record, Alab fought valiantly but ultimately failed in their championship aspirations as their inconsistencies got the better of them in the playoffs.
Dy, however, said here should be no shame with the way the team fought through the course of the season.
“It was a good learning experience. I’m so proud of the team that they made it to the semifinals,” he said.
Forming the team a little less than two weeks before the league commenced, Dy shared the struggles the team had as he scampered to fill out the rosters and recruit imports.
Luckily, two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Bobby Ray Parks heeded the call to join the team from the start before Kiefer Ravena lent his services in the playoffs.
Disappointingly, the young guns were only able to pair up for a better part of three quarters before Parks went down with an ankle injury in the third quarter of Game 1 against the Slingers.
Alab Pilipinas team owner Charlie Dy. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net
Dy is hopeful to see more of that pairing next year as he hopes to convince both Parks and Ravena to come back for the 2018 season.
“We will talk to them. Definitely, we want them back. We’ll see. Hopefully, they stay one more year,” he said.
ABL chief operating officer Jericho Ilagan also shared his excitement with the impending comeback of the crew, noting that an entry of a Philippine team in the field is undoubtedly a big upside for the regional league.
“I think every time you have a Philippine team in any tournament, the presence alone of the Philippines brings passionate fans to the game and competitiveness of the tournament. Even if Alab weren’t able to make it to the Finals, I’m very happy with the way they performed even with the personnel concerns that they had,” he said.
Dy also shared that excitement as he keeps his optimism for the continued support of the fans for Alab Pilipinas.
“We’re able to finish in a good position this year, so I hope our supporters will continue to support Alab Pilipinas next season,” he said.