Alas finished his two-year contract last Saturday with the Philippine club team that’s expected to undergo a major revamp this year.

“It’s all our fault, but I think in the end, it’s still my responsibility,” said Alas. “My contract is over. But what’s painful is we lost in our homecourt.”

The Slammers completed a shocking 2-0 sweep of the Patriots in the best-of-three title series with Filipino imports Froilan Baguion and Ardy Larong starring with Jason Dixon in Game 2 last Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

“We had the homecourt advantage and the crowd support was there, so no excuses,” said Alas. “Honestly, I have no idea what will happen [after this season].”

It was the first international title loss for Alas, who won many regional championships with the national youth and men’s teams, including the 1999 Southeast Asian Games in Brunei.

The Slammers rallied from 14-points down in Game 2 to clinch the Season 2 title and complete their phenomenal turnaround from last year’s cellar dwellers to champions.

“I’ve only won [club titles] in Thailand, so this is my biggest achievement,” said Slammers coach Raha Mortel, a Filipino mentor based in Bangkok since 1992.

“I have no experience in the PBL, I haven’t won anything in the Philippines. But we just all worked hard in practice.”

Baguion and Dixon, who saw action in the Patriots’ title run in last year’s inaugural season, also shone in the Slammers’ Game 1 victory, 66-58, last week in Bangkok.

But Gabe Freeman, the Patriots’ versatile and reliable import for two years, vowed to put the Philippines back on top of the six-nation regional tournament.

“We’re going to be ABL champions again, you can guarantee that,” said the 6-foot-5 Freeman.

Jasmine Payo, Phil. Daily Inquirer