ALAB Pilipinas returns to at the CIS Arena in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday and coach Mac Cuan is hoping the players would avoid the mistakes they committed when they bowed to the Saigon Heat just five days ago.
The Heat host Alab for the second straight game and the Philippine-based club looks to get even things and stop a two-game slide.
“We started flat. I warned them na we can’t start slow against this team. They have a good crowd na kapag nabuhay, mahihirapan kami. When the crowd gets involved, ‘yung mga players, they are confident. They have two good imports and a good shooter in Moses Morgan.
“Lahat ng warning ko sa kanila, ‘yun ang nangyari,” said Cuan.
Adjustments are being made by Alab Pilipinas to break the slump, hoping to help Bobby Ray Parks Jr. get his game going as he plays through shoulder and ankle injuries.
“He is banged up. I’m also trying to do some things to make it easy for him para hindi siya bugbog. Hopefully, it works sa next game,” said Cuan.
“We don’t have to worry about the other teams yet. We just have to correct ’yung mga struggles namin,” added Cuan.
Aside from ending the slide, Alab is also hoping to keep Saigon and Kaohsiung at bay.
Hong Kong Eastern is on top with an 11-2 win-loss record followed by the Singapore Slingers at 11-5.
Alab is running third at 8-6, with the Saigon Heat in fifth at 5-8 and Kaohsiung Truth at 5-10, still mathematically in contention for the round of four.
Alab is confident they can tighten their grip on third with six games left in the elimination round.
“It’s a concern that the bottom teams are playing well, especially Saigon. But right now, all we need to do is take care of our backyard, correct things, and ride the ship,” Cuan said.
Help is on the way for Alab as Kiefer Ravena has recently agreed to terms to play for the Philippines’ ABL squad.
Ravena, however, is expected to play later in the elimination round as he is still recovering from a hand injury he sustained while playing for Mighty Sports in a tournament in Dubai.