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Alab absorbs third straight loss after 22-point defeat to Eastern Long Lions


The woes continue to beat down Alab Pilipinas.

Alab Pilipinas still could not solve the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions’ riddle as they absorbed yet another loss, 83-61, in the 2016-17 ASEAN Basketball League Sunday night at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

Hong Kong have now proved their mastery of the Philippine side for the third time this season, with their first two victories all coming through a 13-point margin, 93-80, in their first round meeting, and 100-87 just this past Friday.

Furthermore, the Filipinos have now lost five of their six outings, including the recent defeat, dragging their win-loss record to an even 9-9. The Long Lions, on the other hand, rolled to their 10th straight win en route to a 15-2 card.

Lawrence Domingo anchored Alab’s offense with 15 points on 7-of-18 shooting, along with 11 rebounds. Robby Celiz supplied 12 markers, while import James Hughes posted a double-double of his own with 12 points and 13 boards.

Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., who led Alab in their last game with 21 points, was a non-factor, as he was reduced to nine markers on 2-of-12 shooting.

Alab were once down by as much as 24 in the first half, but a 12-2 scoring explosion ignited by Hughes and Celiz to open the final frame allowed the Filipinos to draw near by 13 points, 69-56, with 5:14 remaining.

But Hong Kong proved to be a tough nut to crack. After letting Alab make their run, imports Josh Boone and Tyler Lamb stepped up, hitting a lay-up and a triple respectively to widen the gap to 18, 74-56, with 3:12 on the clock.

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From then on, the doors for a comeback were locked for Alab, paving the way for the Long Lions to coast to the 22-point victory.

Lamb led Hong Kong with 24 points on a notable 9-of-16 shooting, while Boone added 23 points and 19 rebounds. Marcus Elliott produced 18 markers despite shooting just 4-of-16 from the floor along with six dimes.

Both squads shot below 40 percent. Alab shot only 24-of-79 for a 30 percent clip, while Hong Kong made 37 percent by going 29-of-79. However, Alab grabbed more boards, 59-48; scored more second chance points, 22-16; and had more support from the bench, 12-8.

Alab and Hong Kong’s fourth and final regular season match-up will be next Sunday, March 19, 8:00 PM at the Almendras Gym in Davao.

The Scores:

Hongkong Eastern Long Lions (83) – Lamb 24, Boone 23, Elliott 18, Fong 5, Chan 5, Guinchard 4, Lau 3, Tang 1, Lee 0, Wu 0, Chung 0, Ip 0

Alab Pilipinas (61) – Domingo 15, Hughes 12, Celiz 12, Parks Jr. 9, Fortuna 7, Carter 6, Acuna 0, Hubalde 0, Mendoza 0, Cawaling 0

Quarterscores: 24-12, 48-28, 67-44, 83-61

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


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