Alab repulse Thais, gain solo third

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Alab Pilipinas kept its hot run going in the Asean Basketball League, edging Mono Vampire of Thailand, 86-84, at the Baliuag Star Arena in Baliuag, Bulacan Wednesday night.

Imports Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee continued to dish out big games for the hosts with the former coming away with 31 points and 13 rebounds while slowing down 7-5 giant Samuel Deguara on the defensive end.

Brownlee also turned in a double-double game of 16 points and 13 rebounds as Alab rolled to their sixth straight victory and ninth overall against four defeats for solo third.

Hong Kong Eastern and Chong Son Kung Fu pace the league with 9-2 and 8-2 slates, respectively.

Mono Vampire dropped to fourth at 9-5.

With the game tied at 84, Balkman and Brownlee took charge with the former connecting on what turned out to be the game-winning layup off a set up by the latter.

Brownlee sealed Alab’s victory with a block off Mike Singletary.

Since Balkman and Brownlee’s arrival early last month, the Alab have won eight of their last nine games to wheel back into contention.

Trailing by two, 75-77, on Teerawat Chanthachon’s basket, Alab went to Josh Urbiztondo, who capped a 9-2 run with a booming triple to give the hosts an 85-79 lead.

But Singletary stepped up for Mono Vampire, which fought back to tie the count at 84 before Balkman and Brownlee took over.

Alab, meanwhile, will take on the CLS Knights next at the GOR CLS in Kertajaya in Surabaya, Indonesia on Sunday.             

The scores:

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas 86 – Balkman 31, Brownlee 16, Parks 10, Urbiztondo 8, Sumalinog 8, Domingo 6, Raymundo 4, Maierhofer 3, Alabanza 0, Javelona 0, Hontiveros 0.

Mono Vampire of Thailand 84 – Deguara 21, Singletary 19, Zamar 12, Brickman 11, Kruatiwa 9, Ananti 7, Chanthachon 5, Klahan 0. Quarterscores: 22-18; 38-40; 68-60; 86-84