MANILA - The ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) just opened its seventh season this weekend, and one of the most anticipated games is the one between one of last season’s finalists, the Singapore Slingers, and new kids on the block, Alab Pilipinas. Alab, the fourth Philippine team to participate in the league, is hoping to set the ABL on fire with several marquee names who have played in past FIBA Asia tournaments.

Leading the charge for Alab is Filipino-American Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. Parks is fresh from trying out in the NBA Developmental League and has returned to Manila to don the Alab colors. At 1.93m, Parks promises to be a match up problem at the guard spot for Alab’s opponents, especially given his varied skill-set. A two time Most Valuable Player in top collegiate league in the Philippines, Parks is known for being able to orchestrate plays for his teammates, shoot from long range and drive strong to the basket. This is the reason he made it to the Philippine men's team that played in this year's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Manila. Parks played in both OQT games for Gilas Pilipinas, averaging 2.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest. If he can muster his very best in the ABL, he should be Alab's most productive player and make them a legitimate title contender.

The two other FIBA Asia veterans who are on Alab's roster are Korean-American brothers Lee SeungJun and Lee DongJun. Both have had experience playing for Korea’s national men's team on different occasions, and they primarily add height and muscle to an otherwise undersized Alab quintet. SeungJun, who stands 2.06m, is expected to be the team’s starting center. He played for Korea in the 2012 OQT, averaging 18.0 points and 4.5 rebounds. He returned to the national team in 2013, putting up 7.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in the FIBA Asia Championship in Manila. Younger brother DongJun, meanwhile, played for the national team in both the 2007 and 2009 editions of the FIBA Asia Championship. His overall averages are 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per outing. At 2.00m, DongJun will be one of Alab's main frontcourt players this season.

Other players of note are Filipino-American Lawrence Domingo, who played for Eastern New Mexico in the US NCAA Division II, and former PBA players JR Cawaling, Paulo Hubalde, Jeric Fortuna, Val Acuña andd Hans Thiele.

Alab Pilipinas play their first home game today at Biñan, Laguna.

FIBA