Fil-Am Brickman tows Malaysia to first ABL crown

FILE — Malaysia Dragons’ Jason Brickman. Photo by Kuk Thew/ASEAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

KUALA LUMPUR — Fil-American point guard Jason Brickman saved his best game for last and Westports Malaysia beat fierce rival Singapore, 77-65, in the deciding Game 5 of the 2016 ASEAN Basketball Finals Saturday before a packed crowd at MABA Stadium here.

Brickman had an all-around game with 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Dragons.

Malaysia pulled off what it failed to accomplish last season when it lost to Thailand in the finals.

Reggie Johnson posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Fil-Canadian Matthew Wright added 21 points for the Dragons, who led by as much as 19, 37-18, in the second quarter.

“Thank you for your support,” said Malaysia’s Filipino head coach Ariel Vanguardia as he addressed the hometown crowd. “This championship is for you.”

The 24-year-old Brickman was named Finals MVP.

American import Justin Howard recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds while another Fil-American guard in Kris Rosales had 22 points for Singapore, which forced Game 5 at the buzzer last Sunday at OCBC Arena.

Howard and Rosales, however, failed to draw help with Xavier Alexander in his worst at the most inopportune time.

Alexander picked up two quick fouls and couldn’t get anything going. He fouled out with still 3:20 remaining and finished with only four points, six rebounds and one assist.