By Adrian Stewart Co

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas lost 88-83 to the Hong Kong Eastern basketball team last Wednesday in the 2019 ASEAN Basketball League at the Southorn Stadium in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai area.
Hong Kong center Samuel Deguara led the win with 18 points, 31 rebounds, and eight blocks. Meanwhile, Michael Holyfield scored 19 points for the winning side, Lee Ki added 17, and Marcus Elliot contributed 13.
The HK-based team immediately imposed its will on the shorthanded Philippine squad and built a lead as high as 14 points; however, the Philippines leaned on Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. to seize a 77-71 edge on back-to-back treys.
Hong Kong was quick to equalize with Ki and Elliot each converting a triple before Deguara pushed past the Philippine defense to surge to an 82-77 advantage.
The Philippine squad made its last push with Renaldo Balkman draining a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 88-83 but two free throws from Elliot sealed the win for HK.
Parks tallied 29 markers for the Philippines, while Balkman chipped in 14, and Ethan Alvano and Joshua Urbiztondo each scored 11./ASC, WDJ