Thai Slammers foil PHL Patriots' back-to-back title bid

The Chang Thailand Slammers completed a fairy-tale ending in the 2nd ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Season 2 by sweeing the Philippine Patriots with a second consecutive win on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena. The Slammers capped their rise from the top by rallying from a 13-point deficit in the second quarter to score a gutsy 75-66 win in Game 2 of their best-of-three title series and win their first major basketball crown in the region. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the Patriots, who appeared ready to return to Bangkok for Game 3. But again self-destructed, and could only blame poor shot selection in the final two minutes. After Patriots guard Warren Ybanez was called for a travelling violation, former Patriot import Jason Dixon made two free throws to give the Slammers a 69-66 lead with one minute and 32 seconds remaining. Veteran guard Egay Billones added to the Patriots' downfall when he launched a jumper instead of setting up a play for either of the imports Gabe Freeman or Steve Thomas. Then came the biggest play of the game. Oddly, it was another ex-Patriot player who produced it. Guard Froilan Baguion, who traded cheap shots with JP Alcaraz in the third period, sliced his way through the middle, slipping past the defense of the 6-foot-9 Thomas, Ybanez and Billones to complete a lay-up that padded Thailand's lead and sparked a wild celebration from their bench. Attaporn Lertmalaiporn, last year’s MVP, sealed the win for the Slammers with two more free throws after another Patriot turnover. Baguion led all scorers with 19 points while Ardy Larong, another Filipino import, chipped in 15. Dixon finished with 15 while Kuete added 12, seven of them in the final period. - JVP, KY, GMA News