After two grueling games, San Miguel Alab Pilipinas are on their way to the Semifinals.
Alab completed a series sweep of the Saigon Heat, taking a 96-85 Game 2 victory on Saturday at the CIS Arena in Vietnam.
The Philippines now sets up a semis date with the defending champions, Hong Kong Eastern Basketball Team.
Renaldo Balkman fought through foul trouble to finish with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Alab also found a spark from their bench as Lawrence Domingo flourished with a season-high 21 points, missing just one field goal of his 10 attempts.
Game 2 was marred with a ton of intensity and physicality, similar to their first game last Sunday in the Philippines. The Heat provided a gallant effort as they refused to bow out of the playoffs easily.
Maxie Esho scored 14 of his 20 points in the first quarter, setting the pace for his team.
However, the turning point of the contest was a huge second half rally by the visiting squad. Alab found their rhythm in the third period, outscoring the Heat, 27-17.
From then on, Alab Pilipinas poured it on, leading by as much as 15 points. Ray Parks, Justin Brownlee, and Domingo took turns in pummeling their opponent.
The Heat would not quit till the dying seconds in front of their raucous home crowd but Alab had an answer for every run.
Akeem Scott tried to keep his team afloat all game long as he finished with 22 points and 6 rebounds.
Alab Pilipinas will take on Hong Kong Eastern on Wednesday, April 11.
- ABL