by Jonas Terrado
Defending champion San Miguel Alab Pilipinas was pushed to the brink of elimination after a 90-88 loss to Hong Kong on Friday in Game 1 of their best-of-three ASEAN Basketball League quarterfinals at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Tsz Lai Lau’s three gave Hong Kong an 88-86 lead with 30 seconds left before Alab failed to send the game into overtime after forcing a turnovers several plays later when Ray Parks Jr. was blocked by Michael Holyfield at the buzzer.
Hong Kong’s stunning win put Alab in a difficult situation in Game 2 set Wednesday night at the Southorn Stadium in the Hong Kong district of Wan Chai.
A deciding Game 3, if necessary, is slated April 7 at The Arena in San Juan City.
Renaldo Balkman’s 30 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists went to waste as Alab failed to halt its stop that saw them fall from the top spot to No. 2 at the end of the regular season following four consecutive defeats.
PJ Ramos added 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Caelan Tiongson had 13 points and Parks added 10.
O’Darien Bassett and Marcus Elliott scored 29 and 22 points while Holyfield produced 14 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks for Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is seeking to avenge its loss to Alab in last year’s semifinal series.