by Jonas Terrado
San Miguel Alab Pilipinas put itself in a good position to secure a top-two finish and an outright semifinals berth after routing CLS Knights Indonesia, 101-63, in the ASEAN Basketball League at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Pamboy Raymundo scored a career-high 20 points, Ray Parks had 19 points and six assists while Paolo Javelona added 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as the Jimmy Alapag-coached squad had an easier time in beating the Indonesian side than in Wednesday's 104-87 win in Caloocan City to finish the elimination round with a 14-6 record.
Alab, which tied Thailand's Mono Vampire, can take the second automatic semis berth if China's Chong Son Kung Fu beats defending champion Hong Kong Eastern on Wednesday at the Southorn Stadium in the Hong Kong district of Wan Chai.
Chong Son carries a 14-5 record while Hong Kong is at second with a 13-5 mark. Alab holds a tiebreaker over Hong Kong and Mono.
Justin Brownlee had 11 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals while fellow world import Renaldo Balkman contributed 11 points in 22 minutes, seeing action after twisting his left ankle in the same game in Caloocan.
Shane Edwards, who will suit up for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as standby import in the PBA Commissioner's Cup while Brownlee finishes his Alab duties, led CLS with 21 points.