THE defending champion San Miguel Alab Pilipinas will face a stronger opponent in Saigon Heat in their return to Cebu, unlike their first game against the cellar-dweller Zuhai Wolf Warriors of China in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
The league-leading Alab Pilipinas, which has an 11-2 (win-loss) record, will clash with the number two Saigon (10-5) slate at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday, Feb. 3, in just their second home game in Cebu.
For the high-stake game, Alab Pilipinas needs to get solid contributions from its big three in former NBA players Reynaldo Balkman and PJ Ramos, and local MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr.
The former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import Balkman is averaging 25.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists, while 7-foot-3 Ramos has 19.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and four assists per game. The PBA-bound Parks continues to be the most productive among the locals with his 12.6 points per outing.
The Saigon side will rely on Trevor Hughes, who has an average of 23.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Kyle Barone (21.5 points and 14.3 rebounds) and Murphy Bernatoswki (20.1 points and 4.1 assists) will also carry the offensive load.
Alab’s head coach Jimmy Alapag previously said that the crowd in Cebu always shows good support every time he comes here while still playing in the PBA.
Alapag was right as the Cebuano crowd did not disappoint Alab Pilipinas when they routed Wolf Warriors (1-14) last month in front of the full-packed Hoops Dome.
The ticket for the game is at P500 for the lower box and P300 for the upper box. (RSC)