Alab guns for 10th home win

CEBU, Philippines —  San Miguel Alab Pilipinas goes for its tenth straight win on home soil today when it faces Sagion Heat in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Hoops Dome tonight at 7 p.m.

Alab sits at the top of the team standings with an 11-2 record, while Saigon is at third place at 10-6.

Back to lead Alab is the duo of Renaldo Balkman and PJ Ramos who are averaging 25.9 and 19.2 points per game, respectively. Both also lead the team in rebounds with 12 per game. Meanwhile, Ethan Alvano leads the team in assists with 5.2 a game.

Bobby Ray Parks missed Alab’s last two games due to an injury and fans will be anxiously awaiting to see if he will see action tonight. Alab leads the league in rebounding at 50 per game and the assists department at 26 per game, and is heavily favored to win its tenth straight.

But Saigon is looking for ways to spoil the hosts tonight. Saigon Heat will be led by the threesome of Trevon Hughes (23.3 ppg), Kyle Barone (21.5 ppg) and Murphy Bernatoswki (20.1 ppg)

Tonight’s game will be the last regular season game for Alab in Cebu but a great showing by the fans could prod team management to hold a playoff game in Cebu for the defending champions.

Alapag, who won was named the co-MVP during the 2004 PBA All-Star game in Cebu, said he has always loved playing in Cebu and want to give his players that same experience from Cebu fans.

And the Cebu fans didn’t disappoint during their debut in Cebu last Jan. 6 and if the local fans help turn up the heat for Alab against Saigon, that might prod the team management to hold a playoff game in Cebu.