Game today
(Thai-Japanese Association gym, Bangkok)
4 p.m. Chang Thailand vs San Miguel (Manila time)

Game Wednesday
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
7 p.m. AirAsia PH Patriots vs Saigon Heat

IT was the turn of Anthony Johnson to shine this time as the AirAsia Philippine Patriots clobbered the Indonesian Warriors, 86-73, in the 3rd AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League at the San Juan gym last night.

Emerging from the shadow of fellow import Nakiea Miller – winner of the Best Import award last year while playing for the Westsports Kuala Lumpur – Johnson made his presence felt right from the get go on his way to a double-double performance with 33 points and 11 rebounds.

He was at his best in the payoff period when he scored two tough jumpers early on, allowing the Patriots to pull away from a tight 62-56 lead and posted several 12-point leads.

The Patriots held on from there and hiked their record to 2-1 in their second home game presented by PG Flex Linoleum.

More than that, the win enabled the team, co-owned by Tony Boy Cojuangco and Mikee Romero, to redeem itself following a stinging a 78-70 setback to the San Miguel Beermen last week.

“This is a good win, the boys showed they can rebound from a tough loss,” said coach Glenn Capacio. “Everybody did their share.”

Former Gilas pool member Aldrech Ramos did not see action due to an injury, but his absence hardly mattered as Miller posted another significant numbers of19 points and 16 rebounds.

Surprisingly, the 6-foot-9 Miller held his ground against the barrel-chested Steve Thomas – who was held to just 16 points. The former Patriot import collared just 15 rebounds this time after grabbing 20-plus the last time.

The Indons – the team beaten by the Patriots for the title in the inaugural tournament, slipped to 1-2.

Veteran Al Vergara also did a splendid job at the point as he finished with 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals. Ardy Larong added 11 markers.


The scores

PH PATRIOTS (86) -- Johnson 33, Miller 19, Vergara 14, Larong 11, Raymundo 4, Wainwright 3, Laure 2, Ybanez 0, Fernandez 0, Rodriguez 0, Saldua 0.

INDONESIA (73) -- Wuysang 24, Thomas 16, Smith 16, Prihantono 10, Sta Cruz 4, Canada 3, Ricafuente 0, Gunawan 0.

Quarterscores: 17-15; 37-35; 62-56; 86-73.