Alab faces tough test vs Formosa

MANILA, Philippines — After back-to-back home games, red-hot Alab Pilipinas takes its act to Taiwan looking to get its win run going against the Formosa Dreamers in the ASEAN Basketball League today at the Changhua Stadium. 

Currently tied with Mono Vampire on top of the standings at 3-1, the streaking San Miguel-backed franchise eyes win No. 4 at 3 p.m. in a bid to move ahead of the pack early in this prestigious regional league. 

To achieve the mission, the wards of coach Jimmy Alapag will ride the momentum of its sweet 96-73 revenge win over Mono Vampire earlier this week for their third straight win after a lone defeat. 

Hulking import Sam Deguara has been tasked to spearhead Alab’s campaign after torching his former team with 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in just 22 minutes of play. 

The 7-foot-4 Deguara was an early replacement for Adrian Forbes but has proven to be a gem for Alab which has gone unbeaten since his arrival this month.  

Good thing for Alab, the Maltese big man will not be alone in this battle against the Dreamers with the anticipated strong support of other imports Nick King and Khalif Wyatt together with local ace Jason Brickman, who posted a near 8-8-10 triple-double against Mono. 

Still, snatching a win against Formosa at home would not be a walk in the park for Alab especially with the host longing for a victory after a slow 1-3 start.

Out to lead Formosa are three imports – Jerran Young, Marcus Keene and former PBA import Liam McMorrow – along with national team standouts Jet Chang and Yang Chin-Min. 

Under the tutelage of ex-Singapore Slingers mentor Kyle Julius, Formosa started on the wrong foot with three straight lossess before finally barging into the win column with a close 100-94 win over Macau Bears. 

The Dreamers topped the ABL elimination last season, racking up an impressive 19-7 card before absorbing a shocking 0-2 series loss against Mono in the quarterfinals.