Alab Pilipinas survives late Hong Kong rally, improves to 6-3

Nick King came up clutch as San Miguel Alab Pilipinas blew a double-digit lead but prevailed over Hong Kong Eastern, 77-76 Thursday in the 2019-2020 ASEAN Basketball League season at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai.

Nick King hit a huge lay-up with 1:05 remaining in the game that pushed Alab ahead by 1, before the squad made stops towards the end to secure the win.

King topscored for the Philippines with 24 points on 50% shooting and added 7 boards.

Newcomer Prince Williams, who replaced Khalif Wyatt, contributed 14 points off the bench. Sam Deguara had 12.

Alab took a 45-30 lead entering the halftime break but Hong Kong rallied back in the 2nd half.

A triple by Jon Siu gave the home team a 72-71 lead before Brandis Raley-Ross hit a bucket and charities to make it 76-73 under the final 2 minutes.

Deguara answered back, before King knocked down his lay-up. Misses from Hong Kong towards the end allowed Alab to escape.

Raley-Ross had 33 points for Eastern although he had 32 attempts. Brandon Costner had a poor shooting night as well, going 7/25 for 19 points.

Alab shot better from the field at 44% compared to 34% for Eastern.

Coach Jimmy Alapag’s troops improved to 6-3 with the win.