Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
This early, Renaldo Balkman is looking forward to San Miguel Alab Pilipinas’ monumental semifinals clash against Hong Kong Eastern in the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League semifinals.
“They haven’t seen us and it will be our first time playing them, their first time playing us. It’s gonna be a good one,” he said after the Philippine side swept Saigon Heat in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Balkman and fellow World Import Justin Brownlee weren’t with the team yet when Alab faced Hong Kong early in the season.
With then-reinforcements Ivan Johnson and Reggie Okosa, the team went 0-2 against the defending champs.
But the two helped the squad turn the page upon their arrival, going 15-3 since en route to a Final Four berth.
With Alab playing at their best, Balkman is confident of his side’s chances regardless of who their foe will be.
“For us, it’s being consistent. We play hard and we play together. Our guys are the best at playing real well right now and if they keep it up, we can’t be stopped,” he said.
“That was last year. It’s a whole new year. I’m really being honest to you. Last year, they won. But this is a whole new year. They were the champions last year, but until they win again, we’re all fighting for the same thing.”