CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Defending champion Hong Kong Eastern Sports Club proved to be the steadier team in the endgame as they held off Tanduay Alab Pilipinas, 92-89, in the 2017-2018 ASEAN Basketball League Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Christian Standhardinger showed why he is indeed one of the biggest recruits this year, scoring the final four baskets, the last of which an undergoal stab with 5.3 seconds to spare to hold off the Philippine side in his ABL debut.
Josh Urbiztondo had one last shot to force overtime, but he missed a desperation three from halfcourt at the buzzer.
The Fil-German forward topped Hong Kong Eastern with 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Reigning ASEAN World MVP Marcus Elliott posted a near triple-double with 25 markers, nine dimes, and eight boards, while ASEAN Heritage MVP Tyler Lamb tallied 23 points on 3-of-6 shooting from threes that went with three assists and two rebounds.
It was a gallant stand for the rejigged Alab crew, which fought back from 15 points down, 63-48, in the third quarter and even took a 74-73 lead with 8:07 remaining in the payoff period after Bobby Ray Parks Jr. completed a three-point play.
Hong Kong, though, answered back with a 9-0 run to bring the lead back to eight, 82-74 with 5:45 left, as Standhardinger finished off the game and halt Alab’s late comeback bid.
Reggie Okosa carried Alab Pilipinas with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Parks came alive after a listless first half and poured in 16 of his 17 markers in the last two quarters.
Ivan Johnson got 17 points, 15 boards, three dimes, and two steals before fouling out with 3:23 remaining in the game.
Tanduay Alab Pilipinas returns to action on November 29 against Singapore Slingers at Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The scores:
HONG KONG EASTERN 92 – Standhardinger 26, Elliott 25, Lamb 23, Moss 10, Xu 4, Lee 2, Tang 2, Wu 0, Lau 0.
TANDUAY ALAB PILIPINAS 89 – Okosa 28, Parks 17, Johnson 17, Urbiztondo 14, Sumalinog 9, Domingo 2, Maierhofer 2, Hontiveros 0, Raymundo 0, Celiz 0, Javelona 0.
Quarters: 24-18, 54-43, 73-68, 92-89.