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Patriots reward coach a fitting birthday gift by downing Slingers


Playing without injured import Anthony Johnson, the Philippine Patriots counted not just on anyone but everyone in their game against the Singapore Slingers at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Jun Jun Cabatu knocked in seven of his 11 points in the last quarter, Donald Little made his presence felt on the defensive end, and the rest of the Patriots did a little bit of everything to carry their team to an inspiring 62-59 triumph. The 6-foot-6 Johnson, who finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Patriots 71-62 victory over the Brunei Barracudas last October 3, did not suit up due to a hamstring injury in his right leg. But his absence was hardly felt by the Patriots, whose local players stepped up to notch the team’s second win in as many games. "It’s a good win for us. The locals stepped up and filled the spot left by Johnson, while Little intimidated the Slingers imports. For this game, they showed why we are the defending champions," said Patriots coach Louie Alas. The win was a fitting birthday gift for Alas, who celebrated his birthday Sunday. The 6-foot-10 Little committed 11 turnovers, but made up for his miscues with another solid defensive effort. The win catapulted the Patriots into a tie for the lead with the Thailand Slammers, who routed the Brunei Barracudas, 76-59, at the Nimibutr National Stadium in Thailand. Cabatu, a second-generation player who suited up for the Welcoat Dragons and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association, had a triple to give the Patriots enough cushion, 60-56, with 51.6 seconds remaining. The Slingers’ Filipino import Al Vergara connected on a trey to trim the lead to one, but Cabatu responded at the other end with a strong drive against 6-foot-9 Kyle Jeffers to up the lead to three, 62-59 with 29.5 ticks left. Han Bin Ng missed a wide-open trey and Egay Billones collared the loose ball, enabling the Filipinos to secure their second straight victory at home. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV

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