Patriots down Indons, join Slingers on top

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots dominated the undermanned Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma side in the first half then coasted to a 74-56 victory to gain a share of the lead in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The victory was the fourth straight and fifth overall in six games for the hosts, who joined the Singapore Slingers at the helm.

The Slingers, meanwhile, try to wrest the solo lead as they battle the Kuala Lumpur Dragons in Singapore today.

Import Jason Dixon underscored the RP Patriots’ impressive shooting as he made all his first five attempts from the field while Jerwin Gaco and Elmer Espiritu imposed their strength inside and scored six points apiece in the first 20 minutes of play.

Dixon finished with 12 points while helping Brandon Powell hold Indonesian import Alex Hartman to just 10 points. He also had 10 rebounds and two shot blocks.