Patriots see tough outing vs Slingers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots try to make it back-to-back on the road as they play the Singapore Slingers this weekend at resumption of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) Invitational Championship in Singapore.

But despite their 76-69 victory over Indonesia’s Satria Muda Britama in the league’s inaugural’s in Jakarta over the weekend, the Patriots remain wary of the Slingers, who also opened their bid with an 87-69 romp over the Brunei Barracudas at home.

The hosts boast of talented American imports in Americans Mike LeBlanc and Kyle Jeffer and Filipino Al Vergara.

“It’s nice to win your first game because it gives you more confidence. But against the Slingers, we have to be more aggressive and smarter,” said co-team owner Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre. “We have to play solid basketball for 40 minutes.”

Gametime is at 4 p.m. at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

Romero and co-team owner Tony Boy Cojuangco of ABC-5 said the Patriots need to play solid defense to stop the Slingers’ top gunners the way they did against the Indonesians.

LeBlanc, who played for the Philippine team in the SEABA Championship last year, and Jeffer combined for 35 points and 30 rebounds while Vergara, a popular figure in Singapore, finished with 10 points and eight assists.

Three other Filipinos – Kiko Adriano, Don Camaso and Leo Avenido – are also playing for the Slingers, who beat the San Miguel Beermen of the PBA in a recent friendly game, 71-65.

“What we need now is a total team effort because we know how tough the Singapore Slingers are. They have two explosive American imports and a Filipino player who is the team’s heart and soul,” said RP team manager Erick Arejola.

While imports Jason Dixon and Brandon Powell made a good account of themselves against the Patriots, the RP team must also draw solid games from Christian Coronel, Froilan Baguion and Warren Benitez.