Alab unfazed by tough task vs S’pore Slingers

MANILA, Philippines - Alab Pilipinas coach Mac Cuan is not losing hope his team can still pull it off against the Singapore Slingers in their best-of-three semis matchup in the 2017 Asean Basketball League.

Cuan said losing Ray Parks and Jeric Fortuna to injuries last Sunday will give the others the chance to deliver.

“It will be the next man up,” said the former La Salle Green Archer.

The Alab dribblers dropped a 77-67 decision at the OCBC Arena in Singapore, and must now win two in a row to make it to the finals of the six-team tournament.

“ I honestly don’t think Singapore can beat us if we play to our full potential,” said Cuan in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

Game 2 will be played Friday at the Star Arena in Baliwag, Bulacan.

Cuan said he knows the Singapore team well enough for him to remain confident that Alab, with imports James Hughes and Sampson Carter and Kiefer Ravena, can still make it.

“I’ve studied this Singapore team and I think it’s not that easy to defend against this team. They’re not as athletic as the Hong Kong team,” he said in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Golden Phoenix Hotel, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions and the Saigon Heat will play their series opener Wednesday in Hong Kong.