Balkman unloads 46 points as Alab PH takes F4 opener

Game Sunday (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) 8 p.m. – Alab Pilipinas vs Hong Kong

Renaldo Balkman scored a playoff record 46 points despite being showered with boos by the rival crowd to lead San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to a thrilling 98-94 victory over defending champion Hong Kong Eastern in their best-of-three semifinal opener Wednesday that put them on the verge of advancing to the ASEAN Basketball League finals.

Balkman capped off his big night at the Southorn Stadium in Hong Kong by knocking down two free throws that broke a 94-all tie with 37 seconds left as Alab bucked an up-and-down showing that saw coach Jimmy Alapag’s wards squander a 15-point third quarter lead before moving a win shy of a berth in the best-of-five championship.

“We just came out and played hard, “Balkman told the ABL’s official website. “Every possession we have to keep playing hard on defense, and we came together as a team. That’s what the playoffs are all about. I told them we were gonna put on a show when we come down here.”

Ray Parks Jr. scored 23 points while Justin Brownlee nearly had a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for Alab, which goes for a sweep on Sunday when it plays host to Hong Kong at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Thai-American Tyler Lamb scored 29 points but missed a three-point shot that would have put Hong Kong back in front after Balkman’s two charities. Marcus Elliott registered a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while top PBA draft pick Christian Standhardinger had 18 points and 15 rebounds but struggled all evening against Alab’s tight defending.