The San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas partnership got off to a rousing start in the Asean Basketball League on Sunday.
With Renaldo Balkman leading another balanced charge, Alab hammered out an 82-69 victory over the Singapore Slingers for its fifth straight win at OCBC Arena in Singapore.
Balkman fired 21 points while Josh Urbiztondo notched 17 points built on five triples as Alab rolled to its eighth win in 12 games to move within half a game off Thailand club Mono Vampire at third spot.
Justin Brownlee also had another solid outing with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Ray Parks Jr. poured 16 points for Alab which now owns two road wins over the Slingers this season.
In another match, former PBA first round pick Keith Jensen powered CLS Indonesia Knights to an 82-72 victory over Westports Malaysia Dragons at MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Jensen, who replaced compatriot Rudy Lingganay, debuted with 18 points. —CEDELF P. TUPAS