By M. A. Mañez
MANILA--New World Imports Justin Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman bucked jetlag as they revitalized Tanduay Alab Pilipinas' 2nd half avalanche with a 90-79 flogging of Westports Malaysia Dragons at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City, Wednesday night.
Coach Jimmy Alapag's wards endured a midgame Malaysia upstage with well-timed shots, sparking an 18-3 bomb that sent a jampacked home crowd in big relief.
Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra's resident import, made waves with a stellar 29-point (on 11-for-19 shooting), seven-rebound, eight-dime stat line. He also intercepted thrice and swatted two shots for his new team.
Balkman, meanwhile also made good impression in stuffing his own effort with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. He also swiped the ball way from the Dragons four times and rejected two shots.
Alab PH waxed hot right out of the gates to establish a 23-13 opener.
Things went cold in the middle periods for Alab PH as coach Chris Thomas' Dragons upstaged a big assault, even taking the lead late in the third with a Joshua Munzon triple.
Joshua Urbiztondo and Robby Celiz also made significant contributions to their latest conquest with their combined 23-point six-board stat line. Urbiztondo also added nine assists and three steals.
Just as Malaysia wanted to deny a home win against their hosts, Brownlee and Balkman spaked a back-breaking 18-3 avalanche all the way for their second win following their 78-61 conquest of the Formosa Dreamers in Taipei last Dec. 16.
[Related Story: Alab finally notches win, mauls Formosa]
[Related Story: Alab finally notches win, mauls Formosa]
Fellow world import AJ West meanwhile carried his team to naught, despite a monster 16-point, 22 rebound onslaught. Fifteen of his total output in the glass came from the offensive end.
Heritage import Joshua Munzon lead Malaysia with his own 21 markers, spiked with 9 caroms, 2 dimes and a steal.
Malaysia appeared to have dominated the rebound battle with 54 against their conquerors' 37. Coach Jimmy Alapag's boys turned on their afterburners in steals, in which they intercepted the ball away 11 times as against to two. Alab also held a 25-16 command in assists.
Tanduay Alab Pilipinas (2-3) will take on the Singapore Slingers (3-4) at the OCBC Arena in four days' time while Westports Malaysia Dragons (1-3) visit Bangkok and Mono Vampire (4-3) on Jan. 12 at Stadium 29 in Bangkok.
The Scores
ALAB 90 - Brownlee 29, Balkman 17, Urbiztondo 13, Celiz 10, Parks 8, Domingo 6, Maierhoffer 4, Hontiveros 3, Javellona 0, Sumalinog 0, Alabanza 0, Raymundo 0
WESTPORTS 79 - Munzon 21, Marshall 17, West 16, Yeo 8, Kuek 4, Cabahug 0, Ng 0, Teo 0
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