Patriots go for 5th win vs Tigers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots try to firm up their hold of the lead as they gun for their fifth straight win against the Thailand Tigers in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Championship at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Patriots have already matched the four-game winning run of the Singapore Slingers and are confident for a repeat over the Tigers, who they beat, 74-61, in their first encounter.

“The boys are in high spirits so we’re confident we can put up another good game. Hopefully, we can extend our winning run,” said team manager Erick Arejola. “As long as we stay focused, we will always have a good chance.”

The Patriots, co-owned by Harbour Centre president and CEO Dr. Mikee Romero and businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco, also beat the Slingers and Satria Muda BritAma of Indonesia, their toughest rivals in this home-and-away tournament among six teams to show the way with a 5-1 slate.

Romero, however, cautioned his boys not take the Tigers (2-5) lightly, saying: “We can never tell, so we have to come out strong each game. We are almost halfway of the elims.”

So far, Romero and Alas are happy with way things are going for the team, especially with their imports Jason Dixon and Brandon Powell and their new recruits Ateneo’s Nonoy Baclao and University of the East’s Elmer Espiritu.

“Jason is slowly picking up his momentum while Brandon is a steady force. The three additions are doing great, and so are the other members of the team, including our guards,” said Arejola.

Dixon was at his best in the team’s 74-56 win over the Indons where he tallied 12 points, most of them in the second quarter where they started to rip the game wide apart.

Alas can also count on the services of shooter Rob Wainwright and guards Froilan Baguion, Warren Ybanez and Christian Coronel.