DAVAO CITY - The Saigon Heat came up with big plays down the stretch to nip Alab Pilipinas, 72-65, on Sunday night in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) before a stunned crowd at the Almendras Gym.
The Heat closed the game with a pivotal 16-1 run to take the fight out of Alab and complete the stunning turnaround for just their second win in nine outings this season.
Alab slipped to third spot on a 6-4 (win-loss) record after failing to protect an 11-point lead in brought to the final quarter - its fourth quarter riddled with turnovers and missed free throws.
The Heat trailed by as many as 15 points at one point.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. had 27 points while import Sampson Carter added 13 points and 18 rebounds for Alab, which failed to make a field goal in the final five minutes of the game.
Struggling all game long from the field, Thai-American Moses Morgan buried the basket that mattered most - a three-pointer to tie the game at 64 with 3:17 left.
Former Blackwater import Chris Charles then nailed the go-ahead basket for the Heat.
David Arnold finished with a team-high 19 points including a jumper that gave the Heat a 70-65 lead. Daniel scored 18 points and gained new fans in Davao with his dunks and intensity on the court.
The scores:
Saigon (72) - Arnold 19, Daniel 18, Morgan 15, Charles 9, Nguyen T.T.S. 8, Nguyen H.P.T. 3, Nguyen V.H. 0, Bui Q.T. 0.
Alab Pilipinas (65) - Parks 27, Carter 13, Domingo 7, Fortuna 6, Hughes 6, Hubalde 2, Cawaling 2, Celiz 2, Knuttel 0, Acuna 0, Thiele 0.
Quarterscores: 13-15, 22-29, 44-57, 72-67.
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