It may be just a tune-up, but Tanduay Alab Pilipinas have possibly earned their biggest win prior to the ASEAN Basketball League season as they stunned SMART Gilas Pilipinas, 81-76, Saturday at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.
The win was a remarkable feat for the sophomore club team, as they made it possible even without top gunner Ray Parks, Jr. and import Ivan Johnson. Both players joined their teammates on the sidelines.
Three players led Tanduay Alab in the victory, with foreign reinforcement Reggie Okosa leading the way with 21 points, with 13 coming from the first half. Lawrence Domingo and Pao Javelona produced 12 markers apiece.
It was a tight contest all throughout, as numerous lead changes and deadlocks took place. But Tanduay Alab stepped on the gas down the stretch and made a 7-0 run — capped by Robby Celiz’ post jumper — to lead, 77-71, with 2:38 left to play.
The Nationals made a last-ditch effort to turn the tables in their favor. June Mar Fajardo’s three-point play conversion with about 58 seconds remaining helped SMART Gilas trim the deficit to just three, 76-79.
But that proved to be the final hurrah of the flag-bearers. Josh Urbiztondo was sent to the foul line after a duty foul, and he went perfect from the stripe to lift Tanduay Alab ahead by five, 81-76, with 46.7 seconds to go.
Urbiztondo missed a pair of freebies with less than 27 seconds left that gave Gilas more room make a bucket, but Kiefer Ravena’s trey missed. Alab then secured the rebound and milked the clock to get away with huge win.
Jayson Castro led SMART Gilas with 12 points, while Fajardo backed him up with 10 markers.
The Scores:
Tanduay Alab (81) – Okosa 21, Domingo 12, Javelona 12, Sumalinog 9, Urbiztondo 7, Maierhofer 6, Raymundo 4, Celiz 4, Hontiveros 2.
SMART Gilas (76) – Castro 12, Fajardo 10, Almazan 9, Abueva 8, Maliksi 6, Pogoy 4, Norwood 4, Ravena 4, Belo 3, Alas 3, Wright 3, Rosario 2, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 21-19, 42-41, 63-63, 81-76.
