Last dance: Alab PH, Mono dispute crown
Game Today (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) 8 p.m. – Alab Pilipinas vs Mono Vampire (Series tied 2-2)
BANGKOK — San Miguel Alab Pilipinas attempts to complete the mission that was aborted on the outskirts of this city when it battles Mono Vampire tonight in a winner-take-all match for the ASEAN Basketball League crown at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Denied in its first chance of becoming the third ABL champion from the Philippines two days earlier following an 88-83 loss in nearby Nonthaburi, Alab looks to pass the final challenge of a season that began with disappointments and savor the thrill of victory in front of its home fans in the game set at 8 p.m.
Alab immediately boarded a flight back to Manila after a dismal Game 4 showing that saw them commit 26 turnovers and import Renaldo Balkman dealing with foul trouble, things coach Jimmy Alapag and company can correct this time.
“It’s a very good team we’re playing against, can’t give that many opportunities,” said Alapag. “I thought, defensively, we did great – held them to 88 points. But when you give them 24 off your turnovers, it’s tough to win.”
Ray Parks Jr. seconded his coach’s sentiments, but is taking a positive approach after getting one road win in Game 3 and playing a decisive fifth game in the friendly confines of the Sta. Rosa venue.
“We came (to Thailand) to get a split, we got the job done,” Parks said. “It’s just about having to get the championship at home.”
Parks is expected to fan his hot streak entering one of the biggest games of his career. He’s averaging 24.8 points on 52 percent shooting with 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.2 steals in the series.
But Alab hopes to make Balkman keep his focus on doing his job effectively than deal with the frustration of foul trouble and physical play even as Justin Brownlee is looking to show his winning pedigree given his big role in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s championship runs in the last two PBA Governors’ Cup tournaments.
Out to spoil Alab’s bid are Mono’s main weapons – 7-foot-5 Sam Deguara, Fil-American Jason Brickman, former PBA import Mike Singletary and Filipino guard Paul Zamar.
Deguara asserted his dominance inside in Game 4 on his way to 20 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks despite throwing up late in the game while Brickman continues to give Parks, Pao Javelona and Pamboy Raymundo trouble defending him with his playmaking skills.
Singletary is looking to keep his offensive game going while Zamar is determined to win his first title in the Philippines after failed stints with University of the East in the 2009 UAAP finals and CafeFrance in the 2016 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
The locals of both teams will also be tasked to provide quality minutes as Alapag hopes to get more from scrappy forward Lawrence Domingo, backup center JR Alabanza, Raymundo, Javelona, on-and-off Josh Urbiztondo and, possibly, Oping Sumalinog, who had four points in limited action in Game 4.