Beermen face Malaysians, Patriots vs Indons in playoff

MANILA, Philippines - Local teams San Miguel Beer and Philippine Patriots brace for a pair of explosive games with Westports Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively, as action in the ASEAN Basketball League heats up with the playoffs this weekend.

The Beermen, riding the crest of a seven-game run, take on the Dragons at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Olivarez gym in Sucat while the Patriots battle the Warriors at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig Sunday.

The San Miguel-Westports Malaysia clash promises to be a highly competitive duel, with the former out to sustain their streak, including 12 wins in their last 13 games, and the Dragons out to humble the hosts. During their seven-game run, the Beermen rode on their defense to limit their rivals to 72.7 points per game.

Like the Beermen, the Patriots are fancied to get past the Warriors in their own side of the best-of-three series with the former banking on imports Anthony Johnson and Nakiea Miller and locals Aldrech Ramos, Marcy Arellano, Jonathan Fernandez, Ardy Larong, Kiko Adriano, Erick Rodriguez, Al Vergara and Eddie Laure.

San Miguel, which topped the regular season with a 17-4 slate, has a 2-1 edge over Westports Malaysia, which had an 11-10 record, in their head-to-head duel.

Imports Duke Crews and Nick Fazekas are tipped to re-assert their might for the Beermen after combining for 55 points in dealing the Dragons a 92-76 beating at MABA Stadium last April.

But Malaysia’s big man Brian Williams, who failed to see action with a knee injury, is expected to be back and provide the Dragons the needed muscle and force underneath in partnership with Tiras Wade, the league’s top scorer.

Coach Bobby Parks is also expected to lean on locals Froilan Baguion, Roger Yap, Leo Avenido and Chris Banchero.

“They (the Beermen) have an amazing staff, from management on down they are top tier but we have great management and staff as well and I think we can shock the ABL world,” said Wade, who normed 29.2 points in the regular season.

According to Louie Gonzales, one of coach Glenn Capacio’s assistants, the Patriots have prepared hard for the playoffs with Johnson, a PBA veteran, back to his fighting form after being slowed down by a groin injury in the team’s last three games.

“AJ (Johnson) has fully recovered and Nakiea is raring to go against his former team,” said Gonzales. “Everybody is well motivated and ready to go to war.”

Gonzales, however, stressed that the team’s success would also hinge on how the locals will respond to the challenge.

Still, Gonzales is convinced the Patriots, co-owned by Tony Boy Cojuangco and Harbour Centre CEO and president Mikee Romero, have the advantage when it comes to experience and depth.

“Local-wise, we’re much deeper than the Indonesians,” said Gonzales. “With imports trying to cancel each other out, our locals must really step up.”