by Jonas Terrado
Game Today (USEP Gymnasium, Davao City)
8 p.m. – Alab Pilipinas vs Saigon
San Miguel Alab Pilipinas hopes to snap a two-game skid and revive its fading bid for an outright semifinals berth when it hosts the Saigon Heat tonight in the ASEAN Basketball League at the University of Southeastern Philippines gymnasium in Davao City.
Eager to snap out of a slump that saw losses to the Westports Malaysia Dragons and Chong Son Kung Fu, Alab looks to repeat over the Vietnamese club from Ho Chi Minh City and stay in the hunt for a top two finish in the match set at 8 p.m.
Sunday's 92-79 defeat to Chong Son dropped Alab to fourth place at 11-6.
Imports Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee lead Alab's attempt to beat Saigon for the second straight time but will need help from their local teammates after they were forced to do the heavy lifting against Chong Son in Nanhai, China.
Ray Parks Jr., Josh Urbiztondo and Lawrence Domingo lead the local cast for Alab.
Saigon is determined to beat Alab down south and secure the sixth and final playoff spot. The Heat carry a 9-8 record.
The Heat will be powered by imports Maxie Esho and Akeem Scott, Fil-American Mike Williams and Vietnamese-American David Arnold.