MANILA – San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas clinched the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League crown with a 102-92 win over Mono Vampire of Thailand in the do-or-die Game 5 of the finals at the Santa Rosa Multipurpose Complex in Laguna.
Renaldo Balkman led Alab, posting 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists Wednesday night.
Justin Brownlee fell short of a triple-double with 24 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists while Finals MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr. had 13 markers.
The title was the third for the Philippines, which first won in 2010 under the Philippine Patriots.
The Philippines also bagged the crown in 2016 under San Miguel Beermen, then composed of Asi Taulava, Chris Banchero, Brian Williams, and Eric Menk.
Alab waxed hot on the offensive end early with a 14-4 score courtesy of inside hits by Balkman. The lead grew further to 39-23 midway in the second period after a triple by Brownlee.
Vampire managed to rally to within 49-54 early in the third canto but Alab went on another huge run from Brownlee, Balkman and Parks for its largest lead in the match 81-56.
Vampire made its last push in the final quarter as it has threatened to within 10 points but crucial conversions from Brownlee and Balkman sealed the championship for the Philippines.
“It took our best effort tonight to win this,” said Alab head coach Jimmy Alapag. “Who would have expected us to win the championship after our 0-3 start this conference? But I am glad we were able to pull this off.”
Michael Singletary led the way with 32 points, 7-foot-5 center Samuel Deguara added double-double 24 points and 18 rebounds, while Filipino Paul Zamar had 19 for Vampires./PN
