JERICK Canada, Moala Tautuaa, and Leo Avenido put up impressive showings on the opening week of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) as Filipino players continue to make marks despite the absence of a Philippine-based team this season.
Canada had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals for HiTech Bangkok City as the former Adamson Falcon helped the Thai squad pull off a 59-51 win over the Singapore Slingers on Wednesday.
With Canada leading the way, HiTech Bangkok City took a 3-0 win-loss record to start its campaign and take the early lead in the regional league.
Over at Ho Chi Minh City, Avenido, who last played for Alaska, kept the Saigon Heat undefeated in two games. He scored 24 points on 6-of-10 shooting from three-point range to lead the Heat to a 70-48 win over Laskar Dreya South Sumatra last Saturday for their second win in as many games.
The Fil-Tongan Tautuaa, on the other hand, scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds in leading the Malaysia Dragons to a 65-57 win over the Singapore Slingers last Sunday.
Tautuaa, who plans to play in the PBA someday, lifted the Dragons to their first win in two games for third place in the team standings.
The Singapore Slingers, with Al Vergara as their Filipino import, are currently in fourth place with a 1-2 win-loss record.
The two Indonesian teams - the Laskar Dreya South Sumatra and the Stanley Pringle-less Indonesia Warriors - are still winless after two games.
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