ABL: Patriots eye 5th straight win vs Tigers
11/30/2009 | 01:25 PM
The Philippine Patriots try to fortify their hold of the lead when they shoot for their fifth straight win against the Thailand Tigers in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Championship Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Patriots have already matched the four-game winning run of the Singapore Slingers, and another win over the Tigers in their 4 p.m. tussle will give them the honor as the first team to win five straight games in the six-nation tournament.
Coach Louie Alas and team manager Erick Arejola believe their chances are very high considering they have won all their three games at their own turf, including a 74-61 win over the Tigers the first time they met.
"The boys are in high spirits, so we're confident we can put up another good game. Hopefully, we can extend our winning run," said Arejola. "As long as we stay focused, we will always have a good chance."
The Patriots also beat the Slingers and Satria Muda BritAma of Indonesia, their toughest rivals in this home-and-away tournament which is now entering its second month.
That enabled the Patriots to vault in front of the standings with a 5-1 record.
Co-team owner Mikee Romero, however, cautioned his boys not take the Tigers (2-5) lightly, saying: "We can never tell, so we have to come out strong each game. We are almost halfway of the elims."
So far, Romero and Alas are happy with way things are going for the team, especially with their imports Jason Dixon and Brandon Powell and their three newest recruits Ateneo's Nonoy Baclao and University of the East's Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuña.
"Jason is slowly picking up his momentum while Brandon is a steady force. The three additions are doing great, and so are the other members of the team, including our guards," said Arejola.
Dixon was at his best in the team's 74-56 win over the Indons where he tallied 12 points, most of them in the second quarter where they started to rip the game apart.
Alas can also count on the services of shooter Rob Wainwright and guards Froilan Baguion, Warren Ybañez and Christian Coronel.
Meantime, the postponed match of the Patriots against the Brunei Barracudas due to tropical storm "Ondoy" last September will be held on Dec. 21 at the Ynares Sports Arena. - GMANews.TV
Coach Louie Alas and team manager Erick Arejola believe their chances are very high considering they have won all their three games at their own turf, including a 74-61 win over the Tigers the first time they met.
"The boys are in high spirits, so we're confident we can put up another good game. Hopefully, we can extend our winning run," said Arejola. "As long as we stay focused, we will always have a good chance."
The Patriots also beat the Slingers and Satria Muda BritAma of Indonesia, their toughest rivals in this home-and-away tournament which is now entering its second month.
That enabled the Patriots to vault in front of the standings with a 5-1 record.
Co-team owner Mikee Romero, however, cautioned his boys not take the Tigers (2-5) lightly, saying: "We can never tell, so we have to come out strong each game. We are almost halfway of the elims."
"Jason is slowly picking up his momentum while Brandon is a steady force. The three additions are doing great, and so are the other members of the team, including our guards," said Arejola.
Dixon was at his best in the team's 74-56 win over the Indons where he tallied 12 points, most of them in the second quarter where they started to rip the game apart.
Alas can also count on the services of shooter Rob Wainwright and guards Froilan Baguion, Warren Ybañez and Christian Coronel.
Meantime, the postponed match of the Patriots against the Brunei Barracudas due to tropical storm "Ondoy" last September will be held on Dec. 21 at the Ynares Sports Arena. - GMANews.TV
