ABL: RP Patriots eye share of lead vs Indons
11/20/2009 | 04:07 PM
The Philippine Patriots, getting better and stronger each game, gun for a fourth straight win and a piece of the lead when they collide with the Satria Muda BritAma of Indonesia Saturday in the ASEAN Basketball League at The Arena in San Juan.
This marks the first time the two countries meet on local soil, making the Patriots the heavy favorites when they clash at 4 p.m. in this budding home-and-away tournament.
Definitely, crowd support will play a big role in their expected heated showdown with the Indons, but coach Louie Alas insists their defense will be the one that will make or break their bid.
"Crowd support will be a big factor especially now that we'll be playing in our own turf, but again, our success will depend on how we play defensively," said Alas. “We have to play smart and aggressive to be able to win."
A hot start, according to Alas, is also crucial as they intend to put Indonesia's imports Alexander Hartman and Nakiea Miller out of their comfort zones early in the contest.
To do that, Alas said their imports - PBA and Chinese league veteran Jason Dixon and Brandon Powell - must be ready for a bruising game.
Team owners Mikee Romero and Tony Boy Cojuangco believe that local players like Ateneo's Nonoy Baclao and Univerity of the East's Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuña will also play key roles in their showdown with the Indons.
"They have shown their mettle against the Slingers and the Dragons, so I think they will be more aggressive when they play against the Indons," said Romero.
Getting clutch baskets from guards Froilan Baguion and Warren Ybañez, the Patriots outlasted the Indons, 75-67, the first time they clashed on Oct. 10 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The game was marred by shoving, pushing and verbal tussles involving Indonesia's Filipino import Rensy Bajar and the Patriots' Baguion, Powell and team manager Erick Arejola.
"Hopefully, it would not happen again. It's just a game but each time we played against each other, talagang maiinit," said Arejola.
The other thing going for the Patriots is that they have won their last three games, including a huge 70-63 victory over the Slingers. Their latest win was 73-63 triumph over the Kuala Lumpur Dragons last week in Malaysia.
The Indons, on the other hand, are coming off a stinging 61-59 defeat to the Slingers last Saturday, their third defeat in six outings. - GMANews.TV
This marks the first time the two countries meet on local soil, making the Patriots the heavy favorites when they clash at 4 p.m. in this budding home-and-away tournament.
Game Saturday
(The Arena, San Juan)
4 p.m. RP Patriots vs Satria Muda BritAma
A victory by the RP Patriots will enable them to tie the Singapore Slingers on top with a 5-1 win-loss record.(The Arena, San Juan)
4 p.m. RP Patriots vs Satria Muda BritAma
Definitely, crowd support will play a big role in their expected heated showdown with the Indons, but coach Louie Alas insists their defense will be the one that will make or break their bid.
"Crowd support will be a big factor especially now that we'll be playing in our own turf, but again, our success will depend on how we play defensively," said Alas. “We have to play smart and aggressive to be able to win."
A hot start, according to Alas, is also crucial as they intend to put Indonesia's imports Alexander Hartman and Nakiea Miller out of their comfort zones early in the contest.
To do that, Alas said their imports - PBA and Chinese league veteran Jason Dixon and Brandon Powell - must be ready for a bruising game.
Team owners Mikee Romero and Tony Boy Cojuangco believe that local players like Ateneo's Nonoy Baclao and Univerity of the East's Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuña will also play key roles in their showdown with the Indons.
"They have shown their mettle against the Slingers and the Dragons, so I think they will be more aggressive when they play against the Indons," said Romero.
The game was marred by shoving, pushing and verbal tussles involving Indonesia's Filipino import Rensy Bajar and the Patriots' Baguion, Powell and team manager Erick Arejola.
"Hopefully, it would not happen again. It's just a game but each time we played against each other, talagang maiinit," said Arejola.
The other thing going for the Patriots is that they have won their last three games, including a huge 70-63 victory over the Slingers. Their latest win was 73-63 triumph over the Kuala Lumpur Dragons last week in Malaysia.
The Indons, on the other hand, are coming off a stinging 61-59 defeat to the Slingers last Saturday, their third defeat in six outings. - GMANews.TV
