MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots try to firm up their hold of the lead while the Chang Thailand Slammers seek a share of it as they clash today in the AirAsia Asean Basketball League Season 2 at the Ynares Sports Arena.
With import Rasheim Wright given the green light to play after straining his hamstring in the Patriots’ 87-85 double overtime win over the Singapore Slingers last Sunday, the hosts are fancied to chalk up their seventh win in eight games against the Slammers in their 8 p.m. game.
The AirAsia-Phl Patriots, co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco, beat the Slammers, 54-48, the first time they met this year in Bangkok, Thailand.
Despite failing to finish the game, Wright, a naturalized Jordan citizen, wound up with 22 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals in 39 minutes as the Patriots regained their winning ways after bowing to the Brunei Barracudas two weeks ago.
A victory by the Slammers will give them a share of the lead with the Patriots at 6-2.
Slammers import Jason Dixon will battle the Patriots in Manila for the first time this season.
The reigning ABL Best Import powered the Filipino cagers to the inaugural crown last February with a slew of double-double outputs.
“It’s not going to be easy on his part to play as hard as he did during our game against the Slingers but I am convinced he will produce some quality minutes for the team,” said Patriots coach Louie Alas of Wright.
With Wright and Donald Little – the team’s other import – out of the game in the extra two periods, Egay Billones, Junjun Cabatu, Harold Sta. Cruz and Allan Salangsang took over to key the victory for the Patriots in their double-overtime win over the Slingers.