Alexander, Slingers turn back Alab

MANILA, Philippines – The Singapore Slingers rode on American Xavier Alexander’s triple-double effort as they trounced Tanduay Alab Pilipinas, 97-83, Wednesday night to nail their second straight victory in the 20017-18 ASEAN Basketball League Season at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The 29-year-old Alexander, a native of Forrest Park, Oklahoma, dropped 27 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists to power the Slingers to their second straight victory after dropping a forgettable 59-83 defeat to Chongson Kungfu at the Nanhai Gymnasium in Nanhai, China on November 17.

Ryan Wright also had an impressive game with 24 points and 18 rebounds while Fil-Canadian AJ Mandani chipped in 17 points for Singapore, which downed the Westports Malaysia Dragons, 77-66, at the OCBC Arena back home Sunday.

The Slingers rode heavily on a tight, five-player rotation, but the strong efforts by Alexander and Wright were all they needed to deal Alab their second straight defeat.

Alab last fell to Fil-German Martin Standhardinger and defending champion Hongkong Eastern, 89-92, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on November 19.

After trailing by as much as 20 points, Alab fought its way back as Ivan Johnson and Reggie Okosa teamed up to push it to within a hairline, 71-72, late in the third quarter.

But Singapore, last year’s losing finalist, unloaded a 21-4 blitz at the start of the fourth period to quash the fight out of the Filipinos.

Alab will resume action on December 13 when it tangles with tormentor Hongkong Eastern at the Southron Stadium in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

The scores:

SINGAPORE 97 – Alexander 27, Wright 24, Hanbin 17, Mandani 17, Goh 11, Lim 0, Low 0, Oh 0.

ALAB PILIPINAS 83 – Okosa 24, Johnson 19, Parks 14, Urbiztondo 11, Sumalinog 7, Domingo 5, Hontiveros 2, Raymundo 1, Celiz 0, Maierhofer 0, Alabanza 0.

Quarters: 23-15; 50-38; 74-71; 97-83.