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Scoring 13 of his 36 points in the final frame, Balkman put the Filipinos on his more than capable shoulders and carried them past very game home team CLS for an 80-73 win on Sunday at the GOR CLS Kertajaya in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The Puerto Rican powerhouse also hauled in 10 rebounds and three blocks, but it was his outburst in the payoff period that spurred the Philippines to a seventh win in a row and 10th overall in 14 games.
With Alab trailing by a point after three quarters, Balkman took matters into his own hands and had all but two points in an 8-0 run that snatched away a 67-60 lead for his team.
Then with the Knights threatening anew at 70-71 inside the last six minutes, it was again the 6-foot-8 big man who pounded in five points, including a thunderous throwdown, in a 9-3 counter that re-upped the Filipinos’ advantage to 80-73.
That edge would hold for the next 37 seconds.
Flanking Balkman were Justin Brownlee who was one assist shy of a triple-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds as well as Ray Parks Jr. who chipped in 17 markers, four boards, and four assists.
Written: Norman Lee Benjamin Riego, ABS-CBN Sports
Photo: Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports
SOURCE: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/11/18/abl-balkman-fuels-alab-pilipinas-to-7th-straight-win
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