Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20) — Filipino-German Christan Standhardingher carried Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions past Alab Pilipinas in his ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) debut on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Gilas-Pilipinas big man and this year’s top PBA pick tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and two steals to lead the visitors in the 92-89 win.
Standhardingher and the defending champs spoiled the coaching debut of former Gilas captain Jimmy Alapag.
Reggie Okosa led Alab with a double-double outing with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Ivan Johnson added 17 markers, 15 boards, three assists and two steals.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. had a listless first half but still ended up with 17 points, including a three-pointer that cut Eastern’s lead to a single point, 90-89.
Marcus Elliott, the league’s reigning world import MVP, flirted with a triple-double scoring 25 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out nine assists. Tyler Lamb added 23 points of his own, while going 3-of-6 from the rainbow country.
Alab Pilipinas will look to bounce back against the Singapore Slingers on November 29 at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
