FILE – Alab forward Ray Parks Jr. Photo from ASEAN Basketball League
MANILA, Philippines—Alab Pilipinas is on the brink of elimination after Hong Kong Eastern Basketball Club stunned the defending champion, 90-88, in Game 1 of the ASEAN Basketball League Season 9 quarterfinals Friday at Hoopsdome in Cebu.
No.7 needs just one more game against the second-seeded Alab in the three-game series to advance to the semifinals.
Both teams traded blows well until the final minute of the game with reigning Local MVP Bobby Ray Parks hitting a go-ahead triple with 39 seconds left for Alab’s 86-85 lead.
Lai Lau, however, responded with a huge triple to give Hong Kong an 88-86 lead with 32 seconds remaining.
Alab had the chance to take the lead in the following possession but Ethan Alvano’s corner triple bounced off the rim that Marcus Elliott forcing Caelan Tiongson to commit the foul.
Elliott then iced the game with his two charity shots giving Hong Kong a 90-86 lead with 13 seconds to play.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Renaldo Balkman led Alab with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.