Game Today
(MABA Stadium, Kuala Lumpur)
3 p.m. San Miguel vs Westports Malaysia

Game Saturday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
6 p.m. San Miguel vs AirAsia PH Patriots

IT took only one quarter for the AirAsia Philippine Patriots to heat up before cruising to an emphatic  86-58 win over the Bangkok Cobras at the start of the 3rd AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League yesterday at the San Juan gym.

Tight and tentative, the Patriots led by just 22-18 entering the second period, alarming not only coach Glenn Capacio but also local fans who watched the opening game of the first-ever regional tournament.

But when the Patriots started to press their attack and tighten up their defense, things turned rosy for the inaugural champions as they easily scored on transitions to rip the game apart.

It was showtime from there for the team co-owned by Harbour Center president and CEO Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco as they enjoyed a commanding 51-23 lead at the break.

Aside from their scoring bursts, the Patriots’ daunting defense in the second quarter held the Cobras to just five points.

The Patriots were never in trouble after that as Capacio’s second unit delivered significant numbers to help jump start their bid to reclaim the title they lost to the Chang Thailand Slammers last season.

The Cobras, handled by Joe `Jellybean’ Bryant, father of NBA stuperstar Kobe, managed to score 19 points in the third, but not enough to cause damage as the Patriots were still way ahead, 68-42.

Feeling comfortable with his Filipino teammates, import Nakiea Miller was almost unstoppable, scoring 10 points each in the first and second quarters to set the tone for the team’s auspicious start in the game presented by PG Flex Linoleum.

The 6-foot-10 Miller finished with 24 points aside from grabbing 18 rebounds and four block shots, while Anthony Johnson chipped in 17 points and five boards.

Ardy Larong was the key local contributor with eight points, two rebounds and six assists. Warren Ybanez scored nine, while Jonathan Fernandez hit eight markers.

Capacio was happy with the outcome of the match, but refused to be swayed by their blowout win, saying he expected to beat the expansion team.

The test, he said, will come on Saturday (next week) when they clash with the San Miguel Beermen – the same team that beat them in the preseason tournament in Bangkok last December.

“Our game against San Miguel will test our true strength,” said Capacio. “But I hope we can sustain the momentum from this win.”

Capacio also credited his locals, especially his court generals for creating plays for their imports.


The scores

PH Patriots (86) -- Miller 24, Johnson 17, Ybanez 9, Fernandez 8, Larong 8, Laure 6, Ramos 4, Vergara 4, Rodriguez 4, Juntilla 2, Raymundo 0, Arellano 0.

Bangkok (58) -- Brown 11, Cruz 9, Apiromvilaichi 9, Lewis 9, Kruatiwa 8, Kongkum 6, Limsuwan 6, Chaiwat 0.

Quarterscores: 22-18; 51-23; 68-42; 86-58.