ABL – Fourth quarter run sees Slammers take 1-0 lead

BANGKOK (ABL Season 2) - Chang Thailand Slammers used a 19-11 fourth quarter to pull away and take a 66-58 win at home against defending champions Philippine Patriots in Game 1 of the ABL Season 2 Finals series on Sunday.

The result means the Patriots need to win on their home court on Saturday to take the issue into the decider.

After the teams went back and forth over the first three quarters and with the score tied at 47 all, the Slammers went on an 11-0 run to start the final frame, a spurt which effectively tilted the game in their favour.

Chris Kuete, who had a game-high 18 points, had four points in the paint, Ardy Larong drilled a three-pointer while Jason Dixon and Baguion Frolian also played their part in the run.

Dixon finished with 14 points, a game-high 13 rebounds and four assists. Larong chipped in with a dozen and Frolian with 11.

The Patriots were paced by Gabe Freeman's 16 points and 11 rebounds but he fouled out with 2:55 left in the game and his team trailing 64-54.

Erwin Romme and Steven Thomas had 11 points each.

Click here for detailed boxscore and statistics.

FIBA Asia