Brunei Barracudas hand Patriots 1st loss

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots never recovered from a woeful first quarter stint and bowed to the Brunei Barracudas, 56-71, for their first setback in the AirAsia Asian Basketball League at the Brunei Indoor Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Saturday.

The Patriots scored only one basket in the whole first quarter courtesy of import Donald Little against the hosts’ 16 points in what could be the least first quarter output by a team in any league.

“We started flat,” said Patriots’ coach Louie Alas, whose wards came into the game hot on a five-game streak.

“We had a good start for a brief moment in the second quarter but Donald (Little) went into foul trouble. Then in the middle game we managed to regain our bearing only to fall short,” said Alas.

With main import Anthony Johnson out with injury, Little tried to carry the fight for the Patriots but the locals likewise failed to step up against the determined Barracudas.

And while they out-rebounded the Barracudas, 40-35, the Patriots had more turnovers which gave their opponents more scoring chances.

Only Egay Billones played rather consistently for the Patriots, finishing with 19 points, mostly on drives, while the rest failed to dish games expected from them.

In contrast, the Barracudas frolicked from outside as their two imports - Chris Commons and Christopher Garnett - and Ramsey Williams effectively took care of business against the Patriots of Harbour Centre chief executive Mikee Romero and businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco.

The trio combined for 52 points as Brunei clinched its second win in six outings.

“It’s nice to win over the Patriots, especially we’re the first one to beat them this season. All I can say is we’re blessed that they (Patriots) were in their off night,” said Brunei’s Filipino coach Bong Ramos.

The Patriots actually bounced back at 21-23 on a basket by Junjun Cabatu late in the second period. But a triple by Chester Tolomia and Esmond Tan’s basket at the break gave Brunei another 28-21 cushion at the turn.