San Miguel Alab Pilipinas picked up its fifth consecutive win in the 9th ASEAN Basketball League after decimating the lowly Zhuhai Wolf Warriors, 100-81, Tuesday evening at the Doumen Gymnasium in Guangdong, China.
Alab lost hold of their 11-point lead at the half as Zhuhai knocked within four twice in the third, but they regained their bearings shortly after and pulled away wide en route to a 21-point lead to put the home team away for good.
The Filipino ball club has improved to 11-2 while sending Zhuhai to 1-14.
Renaldo Balkman powered the reigning champs with 34 points and 13 rebounds. PJ Ramos was in his element as well, as he churned out monster numbers of 25 points, 22 rebounds, seven assists, and a team-best four blocks.
Balkman — who was recently voted by the fans as the midseason World Import MVP — had an imprint in Alab’s second quarter pullaway, as he scored 10 of his output in that stretch, which saw them post a 52-41 lead at the break.
The 7-foot-3 Ramos, meanwhile, did major work in Alab’s 19-7 scoring spree in the third canto that served as their response to the Wolf Warriors after the latter closed in by four, 56-52, midway through the said chapter.
Lawrence Domingo led the locals with 12 points and seven rebounds. Josh Urbiztondo flirted with a double-double of 10 assists and nine points.
Local Cai Chen led the Wolf Warriors with 28 points. Import Mike Taylor was his only support with 18 points. Other World Import Mike Bell only had four points, but he made up for it in the rebounding department as he had 12.
Alab will look to sustain their momentum as they will face Saigon Heat this Sunday, February 3, in Cebu.
The Scores:
San Miguel 100 — Balkman 34, Ramos 25, Domingo 12, Urbiztondo 9, Javelona 6, Rosser 6, Alvano 4, Rivero 3, Torres 1, Alabanza 0.
Zhuhai 81 –– Cai 28, Taylor 18, Liu 8, Patterson 7, Shentu 7, Xianchao 5, Bell 4, Leung 4, Sun 0.
Quarterscores: 26-23, 52-41, 75-62, 100-81.
