Ramos is Patriots cornerstone in ABL campaign

MANILA, Philippines - Toughened by his stint with the Smart Gilas Pilipinas, Aldrech Ramos is expected to be the cornerstone of the Philippine Patriots’ campaign when they start their quest for redemption in the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League in January next year.

“He has improved tremendously since the last time I handled him,” said new Patriots coach Glenn Capacio of his former star player at Far Eastern University. “He’s really a good catch because I know he can lead this team to greatness.”

Though he’s shy-type of a player, the 6-foot-6 Ramos is ferocious and deadly from perimeter, what with his deft shooting touch that makes him a very special player in the eyes of team owners Tony Boy Cojuangco and Mikee Romero.

“He’s lean but he can hurt you with his soft jumpers from the medium range,” said Romero, who is leaving no stone unturned in their bid to regain the ASEAN crown.

Capacio and team manager Erick Arejola are also convinced that they have what it takes to regain the title since they have experience and the vigor of youth on their side.

Aside from Ramos, Capacio can count on veterans Marcy Arellano, Reed Juntilla, Jonathan Fernandez and Eddie Laure in providing experience, stability and firepower to the team.

Arellano, Juntilla and Fernandez are no strangers to the system having played key roles for Romero’s Harbour Centre which built a dynasty in the now-defunct PBL.

Veterans Erick Rodriguez and Ardy Larong are the resident enforcers while Eder Saldua, Angel Raymundo, Warren Ybanez and Rob Wainwright will comprise the team.

Ybanez and Wainwright are members of the original team that won the inaugural event three years ago.

The Patriots’ readiness, however, will be put to test when they see action in a fund-raising tournament in Bangkok next week where they’re out to measure up against the Thai Slammers, Singapore Slingers and expansion teams San Miguel Beer and Bangkok Basketball Holdings.