THE visiting Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions stunned the defending champions San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, 90-88, in Game 1 of the best-of-three quarterfinals series of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) at the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City on Friday night, March 29.
The Long Lions overcame a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to upset the second-seeded Alab Pilipinas.
Marcus Ryan Elliott converted two free throws with 13.9 seconds to play to give Long Lions a four-point lead, 90-86. Alab Pilipinas import Reynaldo Balkman scored a quick two on the other end to bring the deficit to two points with 10.6 seconds left to play.
Alab Pilipinas had a chance after Hong Kong made a crucial mistake with a backcourt violation off an inbound with 8.01 ticks left. But Bobby Ray Parks Jr. missed the potential game-tying jumper in the dying seconds of the game.
Cat-quick guard O'Darien Bassett lifted Hong Kong with 29 points, seven assists and four rebounds, Elliott handed 22 points on top of eight rebounds and five dimes, while bigman Michael Holyfield chipped in 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Balkman had 30 points, 11 in the first quarter, in a losing effort. He also had 13 rebounds and seven assists.
PJ Ramos scored 17, Caelan Tiongson poured in 13 and Parks finished with 10.
Alab Pilipinas is in must-win situation when they play Game 2 on April 3 in Hong Kong.
