Road Warriors: Alab posts 3rd straight win

Alab Pilipinas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Tanduay Alab Pilipinas did just enough in the clutch to hold off the Saigon Heat, 95-87, for their third straight victory in the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League Sunday at CIS Arena in Saigon.

Renaldo Balkman was superb anew for the Philippine side with 26 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and a block, while Justin Brownlee also notched a double-double with 25 markers, 15 boards on top of three dimes, a steal, and a block to lead Alab.

Lawrence Domingo also stepped up with 14 points and four rebounds off the bench, Josh Urbiztondo got 13 markers off his 3-of-5 sniping from threes, and Bobby Ray Parks had 10 points, five boards, and two assists in the win.

Alab recovered from its poor start where it stared at a 17-9 deficit, taking control of the game in the second half to grab a 64-54 lead in the third frame.

The home team got to within three, 90-87, with a pair of free throws from Maxie Esho, before Alab ice the game at the free throw line late.

Alab improved to 6-4 with three straight victories on the road.

Saigon, on the other hand, dropped its third straight defeat and fell to a 4-5 slate.

The Filipinos now brace for Chong Son Kung Fu on Wednesday at Sta. Rosa Multipurpose Complex in Laguna.

Moses Morgan paced the Heat with 27 points and five rebounds before fouling out with 24.4 ticks left.

Akeem Scott chimed in 26 markers, seven boards, three dimes, and two steals, while Esho got 23 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

The Scores:

TANDUAY ALAB PILIPINAS 95 — Balkman 26, Brownlee 25, Domingo 14, Urbiztondo 13, Parks 10, Hontiveros 3, Celiz 2, Maierhofer 2.

SAIGON HEAT 87 — Morgan 27, Scott 26, Esho 23, Williams 9, Arnold 2, Nguyen HPT 0.

Quarters: 20-21, 42-47, 70-63, 95-87.