Photo from ABL
MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion San Miguel Alab Pilipinas went on a late run to fend off the Formosa Dreamers, 86-72, and remain undefeated in the 9th Asean Basketball League Season Friday night at Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Alab ended the game on a blistering 21-3 blast after trailing by four with a little over six minutes left to improve its league-best record to 3-0.
Renaldo Balkman posted a double-double with 19 points and 20 rebounds that went with five assists while PJ Ramos had 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists to lead Alab.
Alab also drew timely baskets from Ray Parks, Ethan Alvano and Caelan Tiongson that sparked the telling run.
Parks, the reigning two-time Local MVP and second overall pick in the 2018 PBA Draft, finished with 13 points and four rebounds while Pao Javelona came off the bench and added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field.
American import Malcolm Miller scored a game-high 23 points on a tough 7-of-22 shooting night for the Taiwanese side, which dropped its second straight game after starting the season at 6-0.
Alab aims to keep its record clean when it faces the Singapore Slingers (5-2) for the first time this season on Sunday at Caloocan Sports Complex.