Alab Pilipinas, Hong Kong start ASEAN Basketball League semis duel

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Alab Pilipinas hopes to ride the momentum of its quarterfinal romp over Saigon as it faces reigning champion Hong Kong Eastern tonight in the semifinals of the ASEAN Basketball League in Hong Kong.

The Filipinos swept the Saigon Heat in their best-of-three playoff, fashioning out a 110-100 victory at home and hammering out a 96-85 win last Saturday in Ho Chi Minh City.

That should give Alab the momentum and confidence as they face the fancied Hong Kong side bannered by Fil-German Christian Standhardinger in Game One of their best-of-three series.

Gametime is at 8 p.m. at the Southern Stadium in Wan Chai.