10 October 2019
By Kevin Estrada
PASAY CITY — There will be a new name to be etched in the ASEAN Basketball League trophy as it launched its tenth season Thursday at the Conrad Hotel Manila with 10 teams gearing up.
With CLS Knights of Indonesia opting to take a leave of absence right after winning their maiden title, the league took a huge step in Taiwan as powerhouse Fubon Braves are set to make their debut this year after leaving their domestic Super Basketball League with a crown of their own.
A retooled Alab Pilipinas are set to parade ABL champion Jason Brickman as a local at last, with the wily point guard gave them a huge boost in terms of leadership and experience alongside franchise pioneer Lawrence Domingo as they turn a new chapter after the departure of Bobby Ray Parks.
Fubon and Alab join eight other teams in the league as it tips off on November with two-week break instituted for the ASEAN teams in respect for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
With all teams retooled their roster for the upcoming season, COO Jericho Ilagan admits that it will be everything to play for with no clear favorites, as it will be mad rush from the get go to avoid being the two teams who will take an early vacation after the regular season ends in May next year.
“Yun yung pinakamahirap in the ABL. Hindi mo sure yung ikaw yung matatanggal,” Ilagan said about the unpredictability this season will bring, citing last postseason where both Formosa Dreamers and Alab got swept against Mono Vampire and Hong Kong Eastern, respectively.
With the ball getting rounder this time around, Ilagan feels more excited this time around with all the offseason activity.
“Medyo mahirap magsabi talaga kung sino yung malakas,” Ilagan concluded.
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