Consider this the calm before an ABL Basketball Storm.
The middle of the pack is just as compelling as it is at the top, as Saigon Heat, Singapore Slingers and Mono Vampire Basketball Club are heating up.
And which squad can top San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to stop their winning streak?
To the rankings we go!
- San Miguel Alab Pilpinas (Record: 10-4)
Previous Week: 1
There’s no stopping the hottest team in the ABL right now. San Miguel Alab Pilipinas has stretched their winning streak to 7 games, and are breathing down the necks of Chong Son Kung Fu and Hong Kong Eastern. Balkman and Brownlee have been a devastating duo, and Local MVP Ray Parks is starting to heat up.
The race to the top seed is going to be an exciting one.
- Chong Son Kung Fu Basketball Club (Record: 9-2)
Previous Week: 2
Give credit to Chong Son Kung Fu not only for beating two opponents this week, but doing so in impressive fashion. They won both games by an average of 20 points, with Mikh McKinney inching himself ever upwards into the Heritage MVP discussion.
Justin Howard? Solid as always.
Anthony Tucker? Doing whatever his team needs him to do.
Tough squad.
- Hong Kong Eastern Basketball Team (Record: 10-2)
Previous Week: 3
You’ll need a magnifying glass to split the difference between Hong Kong and China’s squad. The defending champions looked impressive disposing of the Westports Malaysia Dragons in their lone game of the week, Now they get set to host Chong Son in a mammoth game on Tuesday night.
That match figures to be one of the most exciting ones of the season, and will dispute the number one seed. Buckle your seats.
- Saigon Heat (Record: 6-6)
Previous Week: 5
If there’s one thing the Saigon Heat can do, it’s get back at opponents.
A few days after a 94-79 loss to Chong Son Kung Fu, they vented their ire on the road against the Westports Malaysia Dragons, in a season-high 33 point blowout. They outscored the Dragons 36-14 in the final period, breaking open what was a close game and making the entire second half virtual garbage team. The Heat are one of the toughest teams to figure out, because they live and die with their tight six man rotation.
But when those guys are firing on all cylinders? Look out.
- Mono Vampire Basketball (Record: 9-5)
Previous Week: 4
Mono Vampire might have been a little rusty taking on the red hot San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, but they still did an excellent job hanging on until the end. If it wasn’t for the Balkman-Brownlee connection, Mono could have handled their business in overtime.
Mike Singletary continues to be one of the most reliable World Imports on the Thai-based squad. Mono will be one of the toughest teams to play for the rest of the season.
- Singapore Slingers (Record: 8-7)
Previous Week: 7
The Lion City is back to their winning ways. The pesky Formosa Dreamers battled the Slingers until the end, but the Slingers had just enough shooting to take care of them in the end, despite not having Delvin Goh in their lineup.
The Slingers are 3-2 in their last five games, just chugging along with their usual brand of solid, if not spectacular play.
They should be a safe bet to make the Playoffs, but can this squad make a deep run once again to the Finals?
- CLS Knights Indonesia (Record: 3-10)
Previous Week: 6
GOR CLS Kertajaya is always a tough gym to play in, as San Miguel Alab Pilipinas learned. The Knights were right in the thick of things, however another tough fourth quarter outing sent them to their second loss of the week.
After two straight wins, that’s now two straight losses.
Is time running out to make a Playoff run?
- Westports Malaysia Dragons (Record: 3-10)
Previous Week: 8
What has happened to the Dragons?
It seems like such a long time since their two game winning streak, as the 33 point blowout to the Heat marks their sixth straight loss of the season. It’s a disappointing stretch for the Dragons, that are dealing with injuries to World Import Marcus Marshall plus inconsistent play from everyone not named Joshua Munzon.
They look better than last year’s group, but it’s safe to say that they should be better than what their record indicates.
Are there more moves on the way?
- Formosa Dreamers (Record: 1-13)
Previous Week: 9
Another week, another new World Import for Formosa. They replaced Erron Maxey with Cameron Forte, who looked great finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a loss to the Singapore Slingers.
But as has been the story of the Dreamers’ season, it just wasn’t enough to result in a win. That was their 11th straight loss, in a season that seems to be slipping further and further away.
