Philippines loses to Taiwan, falls to second place

By Adrian Stewart Co

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas suffered its third consecutive loss in the 2018-2019 ASEAN Basketball League after losing to Taiwan’s Formosa Dreamers, 88-74, over the weekend at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

The defeat cost Alab Pilipinas the top spot in the standings as the Taiwanese squad, with their 18-6 record, took the lead as the Philippine team dropped to 18-7.

The two were locked in a tight battle in the first half with the visiting squad holding to a slim 38-35 halftime lead before the Philippines mounted a run early in the third to take a 42-40 edge. However, that proved to be the Philippine squad’s last stand as the Dreamers unloaded a huge 21-4 run behind William Artino, Tevin Glass, and Malcolm Miller to take a 61-46 advantage.

Alab Pilipinas made its last push and was able to come to as close as 11 points in the fourth quarter but the Dreamers did enough to prevail over the defending champions.

Miller tallied 26 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists for the winning side, while Artino had a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Glass chipped in 23 markers.

The Taiwanese side won their series against Alab Pilipinas, 3-1./ASC, WDJ