When Alab Pilipinas released Korean brothers Lee Dong-Jun and Lee Seung-Jun during the ABL’s holiday break, head coach Mac Cuan had a wishlist in his mind: a tenacious rebounder and a two-way player.
His wish was granted when the team was able to tap the services of James Hughes, who stands at 6-foot-10, and 6-foot-8 utility forward Sampson Carter.
The two American imports were able to give a glimpse of what they can deliver Sunday afternoon during Alab’s 86-77 wire-to-wire win over the Kaohsiung Truth.
Carter immediately made an impact, scoring nine points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting in the opening frame. And he was able to showcase the connection he had with the ABL’s leading scorer Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., as the two combined for 17 first quarter points.
“It was a great experience, I’m very excited to be part of the team,” said the 28-year-old, who finished the game with 23 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block. “We have a very good team, very good chemistry. It’s only been a week since we got here.
“I plan on being a versatile player whether it is scoring, rebounding, playing defense, or blocking shots. I’ll do the little things to get us better.”
For his part, Hughes gave Alab an interior presence — something the team had badly needed during its first four games. The product of Northern Illinois University had 12 points and nine rebounds.
“I’m just trying to be an inside force — run the floor, grab some rebounds, challenge and block some shots, keeping the ball alive and continue to match the team’s energy with my own energy,” he shared.
However, even with new reinforcements, the team’s problems of maintaining leads and closing out games were still prevalent.
The Philippine side held a 14-point lead thrice in the contest, the latest of which was a 67-53 cushion early in the final frame. Then later in the game, Alab were comfortably up by 10 points with 1:36 left, but that lead was quickly sliced to just four points in a span of 12 seconds.
“As everyone can see, we were up double-digits and they were able to get it down to single digits. It happened I think three times. We gave up the lead and we have to stop giving up the lead,” Carter shared.
Both Carter and Hughes know that they have to work on this problem immediately and as a team before it is too late.
“Strength is we got very good chemistry. We can run the floor, we are very long and athletic but we have to get better closing out games,” Carter lamented.
“To piggy back on what Samp said, we have to start and finish the game strong. We got to be consistent for 40 minutes,” Hughes admitted.
“But as a team we have to take it day-by-day, game-by-game. Just focus on the little things. Hone in on the good things and correct the mistakes.”
And Alab will have five full days to do so before hosting the team’s tormentors Singapore Slingers on Friday, January 13.
Photo courtesy of Asean Basketball League
