Paul Zamar’s freebies in the closing seconds helped Mono Vampire BC hold off San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, 103-100, in Game Two of the ABL Finals, Wednesday night at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
The Filipino Heritage Import coolly drained his foul shots with 15.4 seconds left in the game to repel the home team once and to help the Thai ball club go back home with the best-of-five series back to square one.
Zamar, despite making just two of his 11 shots from the field, finished with 12 points along with four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
7-foot-5 mountain Sam Deguara did not foul out this time and powered Mono with 30 points and 20 rebounds. Fellow World Import Mike Singletary backed him up with 26 markers, eight assists, and seven boards.
Mono was deemed to go back to Bangkok with a big L in their bag when their three-point lead with 2:32 to go became a one-point deficit, 95-96, as Renaldo Balkman nailed back-to-back baskets with 1:45 remaining.
But Singletary made Alab’s lead short-lived with a big triple, 98-96. Local Most Valuable Player Ray Parks, Jr. though was able to tie the game up, thanks to his high-arching shot all over Deguara with 1:26 on the clock.
Deguara, however, was able to make up for it, as his perfect three-point play with 1:10 to go broke the deadlock and gave the visiting squad a 101-98 edge. From there, Mono fixed its place on the driver’s seat the rest of the way.
Balkman still tried to will Alab afterwards, but Zamar’s end-game deeds took place. Justin Brownlee looked to replicate his heroics back in Game One, but luck did not go his and Alab’s side as both of his treys missed.
Filipino-American Jason Brickman produced 15 points and 11 assists along with six rebounds for Mono. Darongpan Apiromvilaichai supplied 12 points.
Newly-crowned co-Defensive Player of the Year Balkman powered Alab with 37 points and 12 rebounds along with two steals and two blocks. Reigning two-time Local MVP Parks, Jr. chipped in 21 points and eight boards.
Brownlee had 14 points, eight boards, and six feeds. Josh Urbiztondo has seemingly regained his groove as he scored 14 on four treys.
Game Three this Saturday, April 28, will be in Mono’s homecourt at Stadium 29 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Scores:
Mono 103 — Deguara 30, Singletary 26, Brickman 15, Apiromvilaichai 12, Zamar 12, Chanthachon 4, Klahan 4, Sunthonsiri 0.
San Miguel Alab 100 — Balkman 37, Parks 21, Brownlee 14, Urbiztondo 14, Javelona 6, Domingo 4, Alabanza 2, Hontiveros 2, Raymundo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-20, 52-45, 78-73, 103-100.
