Slingers deal Alab five 2nd straight ABL loss

The Singapore Slingers rode on American Xavier Alexander’s triple-double effort as they trounced Tanduay Alab Pilipinas, 97-83, to nail their second straight victory in the 20017-18 ASEAN Basketball League Season at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna late Wednesday night.

The 29-year-old Alexander, a native of Forrest Park, Oklahoma, dropped 27 points, hauled down 11 rebounds and dished off 12 assists to power the Slingers to another win following a stinging 59-83 defeat to Chongson Kungfu at the Nanhai Gymnasium in Nanhai, China last Nov. 17.

Ryan Wright also turned in an impressive outing with 24 points and 18 rebounds while FilCanadian AJ Mandani chipped in 17 markers for the visiting squad, which downed the Westports Malaysia Dragons, 77-66, at the OCBC Arena back home last Sunday.

The Slingers leaned heavily on a five-player rotation with Alexander and Wright delivering in the clutch to deal Alab their second straight defeat. The hosts earlier lost to Fil-German Martin Standhardinger and defending champion Hong Kong Eastern, 89-92, at the MOA Arena in Pasay last Nov. 19. Alab actually rallied from 20 points down as Ivan Johnson and Reggie Okosa teamed up to put the Filipinos within a point, 71-72, late in the third quarter.

But Singapore, the losing finalist last year, countered with a decisive 21-4 blitz to start the fourth period then held sway to complete their 14-point rout.

Alab will resume its campaign on Dec. 13 when it tangles with tormentor Hong Kong Eastern at the Southron Stadium in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

The scores: Singapore 97 – Alexander 27, Wright 24, Hanbin 17, Mandani 17, Goh 11, Lim 0, Low 0, Oh 0.

Alab Pilipinas 83 – Okosa 24, Johnson 19, Parks 14, Urbiztondo 11, Sumalinog 7, Domingo 5, Hontiveros 2, Raymundo 1, Celiz 0, Maierhofer 0, Alabanza 0.

Quarterscores: 23-15; 50-38; 74-71; 97-83