Depleted Patriots gun for sixth in a row

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots hope to draw the best from their local crew as they shoot for their sixth straight victory against the Brunei Barracudas in the AirAsia Asean Basketball League (ABL) at the Brunei Indoor Stadium in Brunei today.

For the fourth time, the Patriots will play with only one import as Anthony Johnson remained in the injury list. But coach Louie Alas remains hopeful of his wards’ chances against the hosts, who boast of a pair of talented imports.

Gametime is set at 8 p.m.

“We’re still positive,” said Alas upon the team’s arrival on a rainy afternoon Friday in the oil-rich nation.

“I am expecting our locals to step up to neutralize their (Barracudas’) talented imports,” said Alas. “This is one big motivation for them to show their skills.”

Johnson, sidelined by hamstring injury, will soon be replaced by Hashim Wright, according to Alas. But the 6-foot-3 Wright will only arrive next Tuesday.

The defending champion Patriots swept their first five games, capped by a 75-69 win over Indonesia’s Satria Muda Britama last Saturday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Egay Billones, Benedict Fernandez and import Donald Little keyed the Patriots’ victory. The troika hopes to get support from Warren Ybanez, Junjun Cabatu and Alan Salangsang.