Phl Patriots tap ex-rival imports for Bangkok tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The AirAsia Philippine Patriots have tapped former rival Nakiea Miller as one of their imports as they leave for Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow to take part in the “To Be No. 1 Basketball Challenge,” a fund-raising tournament starting Thursday.

Miller, the league’s reigning Best Import, will team up with the returning Anthony Johnson in the tournament serving as part of the Patriots’ buildup for the third AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League unfolding Jan. 14 next year.

This early, the 6-foot-10 Miller already expressed his readiness to lead the team co-owned by Harbour Centre boss Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco to victory after losing to the Chang Thailand Slammers in the second ABL early this year.

“He’s a role player and we know he can deliver at crunch time,” said team manager Erick Arejola. “Aside from being tall and mobile, one good thing about him is that he can shoot from afar.”

Miller first played for Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma in the inaugural season before suiting up for the Kuala Lumpur Dragons.

On the other hand, the 6-foot-3 Johnson hopes to have a longer stint with the Patriots after the former Lucia and Coca-Cola import in the PBA saw action in just two games last season after sustaining an injury against the Brunei Barracudas in the season opener.

Other members of the Glenn Capacio-mentored team are former Smart Gilas Pilipinas member Aldrech Ramos, Al Vergara, Marcy Arellano, Reed Juntilla, Jonathan Fernandez, Eddie Laure, Eder Saldua, Angel Raymundo, Warren Ybanez, Fil-Am Rob Wainwright and enforcers Erick Rodriguez and Ardy Larong.