This series deserves it
The epic ABL Season 8 Finals series between San Miguel Alab Pilipinas and Mono Vampire will go to a winner-take-all Game 5, as Paul Zamar and the hosts were able to eke out a 88-83 Game 4 victory, Monday evening at Stadium 29 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Still, Alab head coach Jimmy Alapag feels that they were able to accomplish what they wanted in Games 3 and 4.
“Just on to Game Five. We wanna come to Thailand and get a split, we got a split. We got Game Five at home,” he said.
After a storming 30-point outing in Game 3, reigning Local Most Valuable Player Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. was limited to just 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting.
Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds each, but were a combined 14-of-35 from the field while totaling 15 turnovers.
But just like in Game 2, it was Paul Zamar who nailed the dagger.
“Down the stretch, Zamar hit a big one-legged shot similar to Ray’s the other night. That was a big shot. We had our opportunities,” recalled Alapag.
With Alab cutting the lead of Mono to just three points with 1:46 left, Zamar was able to weave his way through the defense, before knocking down a floater to put the Vampire up 88-83 with 36 ticks remaining.
Zamar had 11 points, while Jason Brickman — who gave Mono the lead for good early in the final frame — finished with 13 points, 10 assists, and four steals in 40 minutes of play.
Alab had multiple chances to retake the advantage late in the contest, but miscues and errors marred the visitors’ game. Alab committed four of their season-high 26 turnovers in the final frame.
“It’s a very good team were playing up against, we can’t give them too many chances. Defensively, we were great, held them to 80 points, but when you give them 24 points off your turnovers, it’s tough to win,” Alapag rued.
Towering Sam Deguara had 20 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks. His fellow World Import Mike Singletary chipped in 20 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
Surprisingly, Mono’s bench outscored Alab’s, 15-7.
Game 5 will take place on Wednesday, May 2, at the Sta. Rosa Multipurpose Sports Complex in Laguna.
The Scores:
San Miguel Alab 83 – Parks Jr. 21, Brownlee 18, Balkman 18, Domingo 14, Raymundo 5, Sumalinog 3, Urbiztondo 2, Javelona 2, Alabanza 0, Hontiveros 0.
Mono 88 – Singletary 20, Deguara 20, Brickman 13, Zamar 11, Apiromvilaichai 9, Chanthachon 6, Ananti 6, Klahan 3.
Quarterscores: 18-23, 42-45, 69-69, 83-88.
