KL rallies from San Beda-Machateam's hot Q1 shooting to rule AsiaBasket

Jalen Robinson capped an MVP season for KL with a 30-20 in the AsiaBasket final. AsiaBasket

By Dugout Philippines

KUALA LUMPUR—The Sportsclick AsiaBasket International Championship trophy stays home as the Kuala Lumpur Aseel took down the San Beda-Machateam Red Lions, 83-72, in the final on Tuesday night at the MABA Stadium here.

The Aseel bounced back from a lethargic first quarter to repeat over the Red Lions, who could not finish the job after lighting it up from 22 feet and beyond at the get-go.

San Beda-Machateam made an early statement and buried seven triples en route to a 32-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

KL, however, picked up the pace from thereon especially defensively as the Malaysian squad held the former NCAA champion to only 14 points in the second quarter and six in the third to take a 58-52 lead entering the fourth.

The Aseel threatened to pull away after opening the final quarter on a 10-2 run for a 68-54 lead with 7:23 to go.

The Red Lions, however, mounted a comeback attempt especially when coach Kris Reyes gave Jalen Robinson a momentary breather, cutting the lead down to just seven, 70-63, with four and a half minutes to play.

KL eventually pulled away after going on another 10-2 run capped by dagger triples from Robinson and Louie Sangalang for an 80-65 cushion with 1:30 remaining.

Robinson led the Aseel with 31 points, 21 rebounds, four assists, and four steals, capping a dominating performance all tournament long worthy of the Most Valuable Player award.

The American import finished the event with averages of 28.3 points, 17.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.7 blocks a night.

Robinson headlines the All-AsiaBasket Tournament First Team that also has Sangalang in it.

Sangalang had a quiet 10 points in the final, but he made up for his offensive struggles with his tremendous defense on the Red Lions, initiating a block party with five rejections on top of eight rebounds and one steal.

Wee Yong Gan contributed 23 points, one rebound, three assists, and one block for KL.

Jacob Cortez, who was also named to the First Team, led San Beda-Machateam with 19 points on five triples, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals.\

Yukien Andrada and Damie Cuntapay each added 14 markers with Andrada also grabbing 11 caroms for the double-double.

In the third-place game, Harimau Malaysia weathered a late comeback from the College of Saint Benilde to prevail, 93-84.

Already thinking about getting back at CSB after stunning them in the group stages, Harimau Malaysia sizzled early on and led the collegiate squad, 31-9, at the end of the first quarter.

CSB, however, slowly chipped the huge lead away and was just down seven, 77-84, with less than two and a half minutes left in the fourth period.

Ting Chun Hong and Maegen Mahadevan scored clutch baskets within the last two minutes to help Harimau Malaysia ice the game.

Wong Yi Hou led Harimau Malaysia with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Ting, also named into the First Team, had 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Mahadevan finished with 13 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Prince Carlos led CSB with 21 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Robi Nayve added 19 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and four steals.

Miggy Corteza, the last member of the First Team, came up with 13 points, five rebounds, and one steal off the bench.

Wong leads the cast of the All-AsiaBasket Tournament Second Team even as he was joined by BGC Builders’ Tosh Sessay, MBC Kirin’s Wutipong Dasom, Shawarma Shack Pilipinas’ RJ Deles, and The Th3rd Floor-KalosPH-Cooly’s Gerald Anderson.

Box Scores: 

First Game

Harimau Malaysia 93 – Y. Wong 26, Ting 16, Mahadevan 13, J. Wong 9, Lee 7, Liew 6, Teo 5, Kuek 3, Ong 3, Lim 3, Dee 2, Heng 0 

CSB 84 – Carlos 21, Nayve 19, Corteza 13, Liwag 10, Turco 7, Oczon 6, Sumabat 3, Serrano 2, Marcos 2, Marasigan 1, Cajucom 0, Mara 0

Quarterscores: 31-9, 48-31, 72-58, 93-84

Second Game

Kuala Lumpur 83 – Robinson 31, Wee 23, Sangalang 10, Tan Goh 9, J. Gan 6, Soong 2, Yap 2, Kwan 0, Tan 0

San Beda-Machateam 72 – Cortez 19, Cuntapay 14, Andrada 14, Alfaro 11, Gallego 6, Puno 2, Tagle 2, Visser 2, Jopia 2, Llarena 0, Cometa 0, Royo 0

Quarterscores: 10-32, 36-46, 58-52, 83-72

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