Game Sunday (Singapore Indoor Stadium)

7 p.m. – Jobstreet.com Singapore vs AirAsia PH Patriots


Diminutive Al Vergara came off the bench to help power the AirAsia Philippine Patriots to an 86-72 win over the Westports Malaysia Dragons for their third straight win in the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Imports Anthony Johnson and Nakiea Miller came through with another double-double performance but it was the 5-foot-8 Vergara who shone brightest for the Patriots as he delighted the crowd with his solid all-around showing.

The 32-year-old Vergara completed his own version of double-double by tallying 13 points and 12 assists in his first game as a reserve for the team co-owned by Mikee Romero and Tony Boy Cojuangco.

The win enabled the Patriots to improve their record to 4-1 in the game presented by PG Flex Linoleum.

"What I like about Al is his leadership," coach Glenn Capacio. "I guess he stepped up because maybe the other team was focused on stopping AJ (Johnson) and Nakiea (Miller)."

Johnson topscored again with 27 points, 12 rebounds and four steals while Miller tallied 21 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and two blocks as the hosts turned what was expected to be a close game into a rout.

"I'm happy that my locals stepped up especially on defense," said Capacio. "We were able to contain their imports and dictated the tempo of the game."

With Vergara's playmaking and Johnson’s outside sniping, the Patriots withstood the Dragons’ rally midway in the second quarter to gain a 46-29 halftime lead then led by 31 points in the second half.

The Malaysians shot 42 percent from the field but made just 3-of-19 shots from three-point range. The Patriots capitalized with their running game and outside shooting for the win.

Center Brian Williams had 23 points and 16 rebounds but Tiras Wade, a former Talk N' Text import, struggled with just four first half points. He finished with 16 markers.

Patrick Cabahug had 10 points although his compatriots in ex-PBA star Nic Belasco and Chris Pacana combined for just five points.


The scores:

PH PATRIOTS 86 - Johnson 27, Miller 21, Vergara 13, Fernandez 7, Larong 6, Rodriguez 4, Laure 4, Ybanez 2, Raymundo 2, Wainwright 0, Saldua 0, Juntilla 0.

MALAYSIA 72 - Williams 23, Wade 16, Cabahug 10, Ng 5, Kwaan 4, Loh 4, Batumalai 3, Pacana 3, Belasco 2, Ing 2, Kuek 0, Kuppusamy 0.