THE AIRASIA Philippine Patriots will be trying to reclaim the ABL crown that they lost last year and will be trying to do behind the efforts of former Smart Gilas and Far Eastern University stalwart Aldrech Ramos.
The 6-foot-6 Ramos is ferocious and deadly from perimeter, what with his deft shooting touch that makes him 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.
Head coach Glenn Capacio and team manager Erick Arejola are also convinced that they havewhat it takes to regain the title since they have experience and the vigor ofthe youth on their side. Aside from Ramos, Capacio can count on veterans Marcy Arellano, Cebuano wingman 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 another Cebuano 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./Correspondent Jonas Panerio