Alab Pilipinas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
After a shaky start in its second season in the Asean Basketball League (ABL), things are finally looking up for Alab Pilipinas.
Not only has Alab brought down one of the early favorites in Chinese team Chong Son Kung Fu Lions, 94-91, in overtime on Wednesday night in Santa Rosa, Laguna, the Filipino ball club also secured a new backer in San Miguel Corp., which had a brief yet successful stint in the regional tournament.
Ray Parks rediscovered the form that made him the local Most Valuable Player last season, pouring a season-high 31 points, while imports Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee joined forces in overtime, contributing 20 points apiece as Alab improved to 7-4.
It was Alab’s fifth win in the last six games—a run that coincided with the entry of Balkman and Brownlee, the import who led Ginebra to back-to-back Governor’s Cup titles last year.
Chong Son blew a double digit lead in the second half as Josh Urbiztondo broke out of his shooting slump to will the Filipinos back into the game, hitting three triples in the final three minutes to forge overtime.
The victory came as a welcome respite for Alab as it searched for sponsors, after cutting ties with its initial backer, Tanduay, a couple of weeks ago, following disagreements with player and import selections. Sources said the team was informed of the San Miguel partnership after the win over Chong Son.
San Miguel is returning to the ABL five years after winning the crown in 2013 with a team coached by Leo Austria.