TANDUAY Alab Pilipinas eyes a rare home win after a successful road trip as it hosts Chong Son Kung Fu on Wednesday night in the Asean Basketball League at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Alab seeks to improve on its 6-4 record at home against Chong Son in its 8 p.m. encounter.
The Jimmy Alapag-coached squad plays at home after winning all three games in a tough road trip capped by a big victory over the Saigon Heat on Sunday in Ho Chi Minh City.
While the team has won five of its six road games, Alab has struggled at home with only one win in four matches.
It has also lost its only other match in Sta. Rosa against the Singapore Slingers last November.
Alapag expressed his confidence the team is capable of breaking the losing spell at home based on their recent play.
“We’ve had some early season struggles at home, but our team has continued to improve. Hopefully, we can come out with a great effort again tonight,” said Alapag.
Alab will continue to bank on imports Renaldo Balkman and Justin Brownlee, who posted double-doubles in their previous outing against Saigon.
Balkman had 26 points and 20 rebounds, shaking off an injury scare in the second, while Brownlee contributed 25 points and 15 rebounds in the victory.
The Nanhai, China-based Chong Son Kung Fu is coming off an 88-77 win over the Formosa Dreamers, its sixth win in seven outings.
World imports Justin Howard and Anthony Tucker, and Fil-Americans Mikhael McKinney and Caelan Tiongson are expected to lead Kung Fu’s attack against Alab.
“Nanhai has been playing very well. They have quality world and heritage imports so we’ll have to be ready,” Alapag said.