By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — Alab Pilipinas missed the presence of Ray-Ray Parks, but it hardly mattered at all as the squad blasted Malaysia, 85-47, in their ASEAN Basketball League battle at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex Friday night.
Alab shut the Dragons down in the second quarter, limiting them to only seven points, before erupting for 30 points in the third quarter to all but seal the blowout.
PJ Ramos dropped 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-4 from long distance, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in just 21 minutes for Alab, who moved up to 9-2, a half-game ahead of the Saigon Heat at the top of the standings.
Renaldo Balkman added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Oping Sumalinog, who was activated in lieu of Parks, was scoreless in his ABL season debut, although he had one rebound and one assist.
Winston Shephard was limited to 4-of-21 shooting and only finished with 12 markers alongside five boards, one dime, and one rejection for Malaysia, which dropped to 5-6.