Playing their fourth game in seven games, San Miguel Alab Pilipinas ended up with a handicap.
Though Alab was able to survive the early ejection of PJ Ramos, the Philippine side still fell short against the Formosa Dreamers. The Filipinos lost, 72-73, Sunday afternoon at the Changhua County Stadium in Changhua City, Taiwan.
And just like their loss against the Westsports Malaysia Dragons last January 9, Alab lost their gear in the end game.
Alab stormed back from a lead that went to as high as 15 points, nine entering the final frame, gaining a 72-70 lead with five ticks left after an Ethan Alvano triple.
But off a timeout, Formosa skipper Lee Hsueh Lin knocked down a triple to give Formosa back the lead. A bad pass by Thomas Torres landed squarely in Malcolm Miller’s hands, and he gave Alab no chance for a final shot.
This is the Philippine team’s second loss in the last three games, dropping it to 6-2. Alab falls to a tie with the Macau Black Bears on top of the standings for the 9th season of the ASEAN Basketball League.
Renaldo Balkman led Alab’s comeback that fell short with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks. Caelan Tiongson added 15 markers and 13 boards, while Alvano flirted with a triple-double with 11 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds.
Ramos was ejected with 8:27 left in the first half after figuring in a confrontation with the game officials. Prior to this, Ramos had been bloodied up by Tevin Glass, who accidentally poked Ramos above the left eyebrow.
Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. was limited to just five points on 1-for-7 shooting.
Glass led the 8-4 Dreamers with 24 points and nine boards. Miller and Chen Shih Nien finished with 13 and 11 markers, respectively.
Alab will have a five-day break before hosting Macau on Friday, January 18, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
