Shell-shocked Alab five losing steam, bows to HK

Photo from Asean Basketball League Facebook page

SANTA ROSA, Laguna—The Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions and Alab Pilipinas are flashing contrasting forms as they head into the homestretch of the elimination round in the 2017 Asean Basketball League.

Unfortunately for the Filipino club, they look like they are the ones losing steam at the tailend of a gruelling season, while the Long Lions are growing in confidence.

Alab was on the wrong end of a blowout for the second time in three nights as the Lions scored an 83-61 victory Sunday night at Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex here.

Despite the rousing home crowd support, the Filipinos had no answer to the visitors’ early barrage as they fell behind early on their way to a fifth defeat in their last six games.

“We just have to get our acts together in the next game because it’s not going to get easier for us from hereon,” said Alab coach Mac Cuan, whose team will play the Lions again on Sunday in Davao City.

With the loss, Alab also went down to an even 9-9 record. But while they don’t look in danger of losing the third seed to the Saigon Heat, serious concerns over their performance abound as they head into the playoffs.

The Lions looked sharp with their long-range shooting clicking anew as they sealed top spot and homecourt advantage for the rest of the playoffs with a 10th straight victory.

The Filipinos were looking to turn things around after losing twice via double-digit margins to the Long Lions, including an 87-100 defeat on Friday at Southorn Stadium in Hong Kong.

But just like in their first two meetings, the Lions dominated the game right from the get-go with the trio of Tyler Lamb, Marcus Elliot and Josh Boone doing most of the damage.

Lamb fired 24 points on 5-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc, while Boone, an NBA veteran, wound up with 23 points and 19 boards.

HK LIONS 83 – ALAB PILIPINAS 61

HK EASTERN LONG LIONS 83—Lamb 24, Boone 23, Elliott 18, Fong 5, Chan 5, Guinchard 4, Lau 3, Tang 1, Lee 0, Wu 0, Chung 0, Ip 0.

ALAB PILIPINAS 61— Domingo 15, Hughes 12, Celiz 12, Parks Jr. 9, Fortuna 7, Carter 6, Acuna 0, Hubalde 0, Mendoza 0, Cawaling 0.

Quarters: 24-12, 48-28, 67-44, 83-61