Alab routs Wolf Warriors, goes 5-0 in ABL cagefest

CEBU, Philippines — San Miguel Alab Pilipinas roared to its fifth straight win with a 105-95 trouncing of the Zuhai Wolf Warriors Sunday in the Asean Basketball League at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

Playing before a full-house crowd of roaring fans, Alab leaned on a sizzling three-point shooting night, a big second and third quarter run and a balanced offense as it showcased its deep bench against the hapless visiting team from China.

Alab had a slow start, taking a 22-19 lead at the end of the first quarter before finally waking up and firing up the hometown crowd.

Josh Urbiztondo came into the game with guns ablazing, opening up the second period with a triple, then added three more treys to tow Alab to break free from the Warriors.

But it wasn’t an all-Urbiztondo shooting show.

Caelan Tiongson, whose father once lived in Lahug, had two triples while Ethan Alvano, Renaldo Balkman and Rayray Parks had a triple each for the home team playing its first-ever ABL home game in Cebu.

Alab’s nine triples in the second quarter fired up the crowd with the charismatic Urbiztondo and Balkman egging on the crowd to cheer on. Alab had eleven triples by halftime and ended with 16 for the entire game. The lead ballooned to 86-67 at the end of the third quarter with “game over” written all over the floor.

Alvano, who had a break-out game for Alab, drained two more triples of his own as part of his eight points in the period, with Parks and Balkman chipping in seven apiece, including two ferocious dunks by Balkman that had the crowd asking for more.

It was smooth sailing from then on for Alab as they padded to lead to a game high 28 points in the fourth period at 101-73 before finally slowing down.

Alvano and Balkman had 21 points apiece to lead Alab as Urbiztondo had 19. Parks was the fourth Alab player in double digits with 12.

Alab was also impressive in the assists department with 29, with Alvano making a good impression for Cebu fans, dishing out seven.

Mike Bell and Chen Cai led the Wolf Warriors with 20 points each. Alab now sits at the top of the team standings with a 5-0 record while the Wolf Warriors dropped to 1-9.

Alab head coach Jimmy Alapag, who recalled how he has played in Cebu many times in his fourteen-year career, praised the hometown crowd.

“It’s just something different about playing here in Cebu; the fan support, the love and energy that the fans give here in Cebu. It’s always great to be here. And I’m thankful now that I’m coaching that my players get to experience what it’s like to play here in Cebu,” he said.

BLEACHER TALK NOTES: Caelan Tiongson is the nephew of Larsian Food Strip manager Joey Herrera... Cebuano Oping Sumalinog didn’t joint he team as he’s nursing an injury..      The Wolf Warriors had a home crowd favorite in import Mike Taylor. When the acrobatic slasher rode the bench in the fourth quarter, the crowd repeatedly called out for the flamboyant import, chanting “Taylor, Taylor.”...Tickets for the game were sold out two days before game day.... Both Zuhai and Alab players were flooded with requests for selfies and pictures, with fans staying behind until they boarded the players team buses....Jimmy Alapag, Danny Seigle and Eric Menk are still popular and weren’t spared from the fans’ selfie requests...Negotiations are ongoing for Alab to play its February 3 home game in Cebu. (FREEMAN)