San Miguel Alab send Mono packing, end Philippines’ five-year ABL title drought

Five long years of heartbreak and futility have finally come to an end

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas beat Mono Vampire BC, 102-92, in the Finals’ Game Five to help the Philippines ascend to the top of the ASEAN Basketball League after half a decade, Wednesday at Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

Alab has become the third Filipino club team next to ABL pioneer Philippine Patriots and the San Miguel Beermen to win the regional pro league.

Renaldo Balkman led Alab with 32 points on top of nine rebounds and six assists. Justin Brownlee was on the cusp of a triple-double as he collected 24 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Ray Parks, Jr. chipped in 13 markerd.

The home team came out firing right from the beginning with a Balkman-anchored 14-4 start, and that lead of theirs even rose to 16, 39-23, after Brownlee’s three-pointer with 7:01 remaining in the second quarter.

Mono though was able to close in by as much as five, 49-54, to start the third, but Alab outscored them 27-7 — ended by Balkman’s slam — from that point to post a 25-point cushion, 81-56, with 44 seconds to go in the said chapter.

The Vampire, from there, never found any spell to resuscitate themselves, as Alab kept their foot on their throat to finish them off once and for all.

Mike Singletary led the Thai ball club with 32 points and eight rebounds. 7-foot-5 Sam Deguara had 24 points and 18 caroms, while Filipino Heritage Import Paul Zamar chipped in 19 markers despite shooting 4-of-14 from the field.

Fil-American wizard Jason Brickman, the most consistent Vampire in the series, was held to just nine points on seven shots. He made up for it though in other departments, collecting seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal.

The Scores:

San Miguel Alab 102 – Balkman 32, Brownlee 24, Parks 13, Domingo 9, Raymundo 9, Javelona 7, Urbiztondo 5, Hontiveros 3, Alabanza 0, Celiz 0, Maierhofer 0, Sumalinog 0.

Mono 92 – Singletary 32, Deguara 24, Zamar 19, Brickman 9, Chanthachon 6, Apiromvilaichai 2, Ananti 0, Boonyai 0, Khunkhandin 0, Klahan 0, Phuangla 0, Sunthonsiri 0.

Quarterscores: 27-14, 54-45, 82-61, 102-92.