By Jonas Terrado
Defending champion San Miguel Alab Pilipinas encountered little trouble starting its ASEAN Basketball League title defense Sunday, coasting to a 94-67 victory over the visiting CLS Knights Indonesia at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Imports Renaldo Balkman and PJ Ramos and PBA-bound Ray Parks Jr. all scored in double figures while getting solid contributions from Lawrence Domingo, Brandon Rosser, Caelan Tiongson and Ethan Alvano to give Alab a winning start to its bid for a second straight crown.
Balkman had 33 points, delighting the crowd with a several dunks, while adding 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks even as the 7-foot-4 Ramos delivered 20 points spiked by four triples.
Parks, who is expected to be one of the first players selected in Sunday’s PBA Draft, added 10 points.
