MANILA — Their last loss left a bad taste in the Alab Pilipinas players' mouths.
Now they're going to have to work really hard to wipe off that bitter feeling.
Alab tangles with the tough Singapore Slingers on Sunday with the hopes of getting a favorable position in the playoffs of the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
Alab (6-4), currently behind Singapore (10-3) and the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions (7-2) in the standings, hopes to repeat against the Slingers who lost the last time they met the Filipino club.
“Crucial ito kasi down the line, placing ang habol namin,” Alab head coach Mac Cuan said. “Nakadalawa sila sa amin, naka-isa kami (They got us twice, we got them once).”
A team that finishes in the top 2 will be rewarded with home-court advantage and Cuan is aware of that.
“Mahalaga ang placing if ever sila makatapat namin sa playoffs, maganda ang chance namin kung mag-home court,” he said.
To beat Singapore, Alab will have to play consistently for 48 minutes. In its last game, Alab suffered a 72-65 shocker against the lowly Saigon Heat at Almendras Gym in Davao City.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. was Alab’s main man with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Problem was, besides Sampson Carter (13 points and 18 boards), Parks had little help.
In its last meeting against Singapore, Alab was able to free up Parks because a lot of his teammates were involved. But it appears Cuan's players have reverted to old, bad habits.
“Kelangan may katulong si Ray, hindi pupwedeng si Ray lahat. Kaya nafo-focus ang kalaban kay Ray kasi alam nilang si Ray ang titira,” Cuan said.
Singapore is coming off a thrilling 112-110 win against defending champions Westports Malaysia Dragons.
To beat the Slingers, Cuan said Alab will have exhibit patience on both ends of the floor.
“We have to make stops and we have to execute on offense. We have to be very deliberate, dapat alam namin ang pupuntahan namin on offense. Hindi 'yung basta-basta nagra-run ng play,” the coach said.
“It’s not just about showing up. You have to give your best.”
(All home games are aired live on S+A and live-streamed through sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream/abl)
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