Patriots target first ABL crown

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots want no less than the title when they face Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma in the best-of-five finals of the first Asean Basketball League starting on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“Nobody remembers the runner-up. That’s why we want to become the champions of the first ABL tournament,” said Patriots head coach Louie Alas who graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along UN Avenue.

“It’s going to be a tough series. But definitely, we’re going to win,” he said.

Jason Dixon and Gabe Freeman, the pair of hard-working imports for the Patriots, arrived at the session presented by Outlast Battery, Pagcor, Accel and Shakey’s way ahead of their coach and teammates Jerwin Gaco and Rob Wainwright. They did the early talking.

“Of all the teams we’ve played, coach Louie says Indonesia is the better team. And I seem to agree,” said Dixon, a 6-foot-10 center who is close to a double-double average in the inaugural tournament among Asean teams.

Dixon said the key to victory is how to stop the Indonesia imports, including Nakiea Miller.

“I have to prepare for him because I know he’s going to use his speed against me. But it’s no different that the other games. It’s always the same intensity. Indonesia is not a helter-skelter team and it’s very disciplined,” he said.

“The key is stopping their imports. That will be my job. That’s what I get paid for,” said Dixon.

“I don’t want to disrespect the Indonesian team but personally, I think we’re going to win this series, three-to-one,” he said, who vowed to give the championship to the team co-owned by businessmen Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco.

Freeman, a PBA best import awardee when he played for San Miguel Beer last year, was more daring with his projection even if he has yet to play a single game against the Indonesians as he just came in as a replacement.

“I don’t want to lose any game. I didn’t come here to lose. So, I say we’ll sweep them. I don’t want to lose. I hate losing,” said Freeman, who said he loves basketball so much that, “I sleep, drink, eat and shower it.”

The opener of the series will be played at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig, while Game 2 is set at The Arena in San Juan.

Games 3 and 4 will be held in Indonesia, while the series goes back to Manila if and when a fifth and deciding game is necessary.