Game today
(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City)
6 p.m.-- AirAsia PH Patriots vs Westports Malaysia

PLAYING with more poise and sharpness this time, the AirAsia Philippines Patriots shoot for a third straight win when they collide against last year’s semis rivals, the Westports Malaysia Dragons, in the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Coming off a resounding 76-62 win over the Saigon Heat, the Patriots are installed slight favorites over the Dragons, who just like them are also carrying a 3-1 card, half-a-game behind leader the Singapore Slingers.

And like in their semis series last year, the 6 p.m. showdown between the Patriots and the Dragons is expected to be a tense and rugged one.

The home game of the PH Patriots is presented by PG Flex Linoleum.

Even Patriots coach Glenn Capacio and team manager Erick Arejola see a down-the-wire battle, saying the Dragons have a much better personnel now than last year when the team co-owned by Mikee Romero and Tony Boy Cojuangco swept them in a best-of-three semis series.

But Capacio loves the challenge, adding that: “This game will test the true character of my boys.”

Capacio, however, said they have to tighten up their defense if they want to the Slingers for the lead.

“Our problem last time was our defense, we allowed the Heat to outrebound us, so it’s important that we play tough defense against an offensive team like Malaysia,” said Arejola.

Expected to lead the Patriots are imports Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson but Capacio said the locals, led by Al Vergara, Reed Juntilla, Rob Wainwright, Ardy Larong and Jonathan Fernandez, must also step up to supply the needed firepower.

“We can’t rely much on our imports most of the time, so they (locals) should rise to the challenge,” added Capacio who expects the Dragons to play much tougher this time after absorbing a 73-70 defeat to the Bangkok Cobras.

Former PBA import Tiras Wade and frontcourt partner Brian Williams will banner the Dragons who are being handled by former Jose Rizal University coach Ariel Vanguardia.