Hong Kong expects Alab comeback
DEFENDING champions San Miguel Alab Pilipinas found themselves with their backs to the wall after a heart-breaking loss to HongKong Eastern Long Lions, 90-88, in Game 1 of the best-of-three quarterfinal series of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) on Friday night, March 29 at the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Despite pulling off an upset in the opponent’s territory, Eastern coach Eduard Torres thinks it’s going to be a tough battle in Game 2 on April 3 when they host Alab Pilipinas at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
“I tell you, guys, how tough it’s going to be on Wednesday. The only thing that counts is our fans there,” the European coach Torres told sports scribes after steering Hong Kong to its biggest win so far this season.
Hong Kong had to overcome a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to come away with the pulsating two-point away win.
“It’s a huge win for us, especially in a best-of-three series setup. When we were down 15 points, we just kept the faith and our belief. Team chemistry, believing, sending the right messages to the players and keep working were the keys for us,” he said.
After being down by as much as 15 points in the third quarter, Hong Kong slotman Michael Holyfield tied the game for the first time at 77-all with a basket inside the paint at 5:06 in the payoff period.
Holyfield again did the damage inside with a two-pointer plus a foul to give Hong Kong an 85-84 edge. He missed the bonus free throw and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. scored a jumper on the other end and Alab Pilipinas regained the lead, 86-85, with 39 seconds Aleft to play.
Tsz Lai Lau hit a dagger three-pointer with 32 seconds left to break the hearts of Alab Piliipinas and foil the heroics of Parks.
Marcus Ryan Elliott made two crucial free throws to give Hong Kong a four-point lead, 90-86, with 13 seconds left after Alab Pilipinas point guard Ethan Alvano missed a contested three-point attempt.
Alab Pilipinas import Renaldo Balkman scored a quick two-pointer to cut the deficit to two with 10 seconds left. The home team had the chance when Hong Kong made a crucial backcourt violation off an inbound, but Parks missed the potential game-tying jumper as time expired.
“It was not our first comeback win this season, but this one was huge. The guys arrived at 7 a.m. here, and we played tonight. It was really a big win,” said Torres, who spoke highly of Filipino hoops fans.
“The Filipino fans are the first I’ve seen who love basketball so much. The fans here are absolutely respectful. Of course, they cheer for their players and team, but they remain respectful (to the opposing team),” he said.
Import O’Darien Bassett lifted Hong Kong with 29 points, seven assists and four rebounds, Elliott handed 22 points on top of eight rebounds and five assists, while Holyfield shrugged off early foul trouble to finish with a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Balkman top scored for Alab Pilipinas with 30, 11 made in the opening quarter, to go along with 13 rebounds and seven assists. PJ Ramos scored 17, Caelan Tiongson poured in 13 and Parks finished with 10 in a losing effort for Alab Pilipinas, which is now on a five-game losing skid. RSC