ALAB Pilipinas coach Ronald "Mac" Cuan expects a tougher Saigon Heat as the Asean Basketball League (ABL) will resume at 8 p.m. Sunday, February 5, at the newly-refurbished Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.
Admission is free. Gates are open at 6 p.m.
Cuan, during an interview with VoxPop Davao Saturday, February 4, said they have to step up on their defense considering Saigon's 6'6" bigman who is a prolific shooter.
"Compared sa last game namin, ibang Saigon Heat ang kakalabanin namin ngayon and kaya siguro sila nagpalit ng player kasi na touch 'yung ego nila when we defeated them" said Cuan who expects the team to play the same intensity they showed in their last game.
He added that he kept on reminding his players to make a good start, saying: "Kailangan hindi namin sila papa-buwelohin kasi pagbinigyan namin sila ng chance sa start to compete with us mahihirapan kami."
Alab, who is currently on the third spot with a 6-3 win-loss record, will work on their zone defense and run-and-gun offense.
"We don't need to make set plays all the time, kasi we look into making easy baskets through fast breaks, we are trying to maximize," Cuan said, expecting that Bobby Ray Parks Jr. will step up along with James Thomas Hughes and Robby Celis.
Parks, in a separate interview, said they will just try to show up and give their best to win the game.
"We already have the pieces and all we need to do is to put it all together," Parks answered when asked if they are ready to win the ABL title.
Completing the roster are Dean Paulo Hubalde, Lawrence Domingo, Ronaldo Cawaling Jr., Sampson Carter, Igee Bobbie King, Jeroc Marco Fortuna, Anthony Louie Gavieres, Jens Dieter Knuttel, Mark Jovet Mendoza, Hezy Val Acuña and Hans Paul Franz Thielle Jr. with assistant coach John Paul "Japs" Cuan.
The Alab Pilipinas will return here when it battles the Hong Kong Lions on March 19.