MANILA – San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas got back on the winning track in the 2019-2020 ASEAN Basketball League. It defeated Fubon Braves, 101-96, at the San Juan Arena.
Sam Deguara tallied double-double 26 points and 14 rebounds on Tuesday night.
Nick King contributed 22 points, six rebound and five assists, while Khalif Wyatt chipped in 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
With the win, the Philippines improved to 5-2.
Local player Jeremiah Gray provided a huge spark for Alab Pilipinas. He scored 17 points on top of six assists and five rebounds while also defending former NBA player and Braves import OJ Mayo.
From a see-saw battle for most part of the match, Alab Pilipinas surged to a 99-94 advantage with 56.5 seconds remaining in the match following a three-point conversion by Gray.
The Braves answered back with a basket from Mayo to cut the deficit to three points but two free throws by Wyatt with 10 seconds in the match sealed the victory for Alab Pilipinas.
“Our energy was much better tonight.
Our focus was much better and the guys really followed the game plan. Credit
goes to them,” said Alab Pilipinas head coach Jimmy Alapag.
Mayo, who played for eight years in the NBA, finished with 35 points, but had
to shoot 22 times from the field to get all those while also having his three
points attempts blocked by Gray late in the game./PN
