Led by Justin Howard’s monster double-double with 22 points and 20 rebounds, the Slingers were the steadier team in the end game as they showed the poise that only a squad with chemistry could show.
Howard sank one of his patented mid-range jumpers with 1:24 left in the game to give the Slingers a 67-64 advantage but Bobby Ray Parks calmly sank two free throws on the other end to make it a one-point game.
The burly center, who also scored his 1,000th point in the ABL in this match, added two crucial free throws with 13 seconds left to bring Singapore’s lead back up to three, 69-66. Needing only one stop to preserve their victory, Howard showed his defensive prowess as he perfectly read what Alab Pilipinas wanted to run in the final play.
Parks wanted to go to World Import Lee Seung-Jun in a pick-and-pop play for a possible game-trying three but Howard stole the pass and threw the ball to Leon Kwek who finished up the game with two free throws.
Slingers Wong Wei Long had one of his best all around ABL games hitting some timely three points shots and playing solid defense, the Slingers who battled back from a 12-point deficit in the first half also got good contributions from Leon Kwek who followed up his 20 point Friday night performance with a double-double, 11 points and 11 rebounds against Alab Pilipinas. Wong finished with 17 points, 3 assists and 0 turnovers
Singapore’s Xavier Alexander also had a memorable stint in Binan as he notched 15 points including a huge facial dunk against Parks. It was a payback slam as Parks blocked Alexander’s dunk attempt in the first quarter of action.
Even though their debut game ended with a loss, Alab Pilipinas still has a lot to be hopeful about. They managed to stick with the 2015-16 ABL finals runners up even though they have had very little time to prepare. They also did it with only one World Import as Lee Dong Jun is still recovering from illness.
Parks displayed his all around game in his ABL debut with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Lee finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds but he struggled from the field, making only 3 of his 13 three-point attempts.
The Slingers dominated the battle of the boards out rebounding the Alab Pilipinas team 55 – 39. Singapore had 21 offensive rebounds which led to 16 second chance points.
The Slingers will now have just 6 days before they head back on the road to face the Saigon Heat in Vietnam on the 3rd December.
