Alab seeks better ABL finish

MANILA, Philippines — Tanduay-Alab Pilipinas sets out for its second season in the ASEAN Basketball League next month, seeking no less than a title crack on a team built around reigning MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and former Alaska star Dondon Hontiveros with Jimmy Alapag as coach.

While admitting reigning champions Hong Kong Eastern, Westports Malaysia, Singapore and Saigon Heat remain the teams to beat, Tanduay-Alab has expressed confidence of a strong finish with a roster backstopped by Lawrence Domingo and Ivan Johnson.

“We will be the biggest threat (to Hong Kong’s title defense),” said Tanduay-Alab team manager Charlie Dy in yesterday’s event launch at Shangri-La at the Fort.

Alab placed third in its ABL debut last year.

The field will be divided into three groups and will play a total of 20 games with home and away games.

The top two teams will advance to the semifinals outright while the third to sixth placers will compete in the quarterfinals.

The first two rounds of the playoffs will be a best-of-three affair while the finals will be a best-of-five series.

Tanduay-Alab will open the season against Hong Kong Eastern at the MOA Arena on Nov. 19.

Taiwan’s Formosa Dreamers, China’s Nanhai Long Lions, Indonesia’s CLS Knights Indonesia and Thailand’s Mono Vampire Basketball Club are joining the regional tournament.