PH Patriots starts well in ABL hoop
THE AIRASIA Philippine Patriots took care of business as they downed the Bangkok Cobras, 86-58, at the start of the 3rd AirAsia Asean Basketball League yesterday at the San Juan gym.
The Patriots were only ahead by four, 22-18, after the first period but they dominated the rest of the way to kick off their title bid on a winning note.
The Patriots started to press their attack and tighten up their defense and in turn, things turned rosy for the inaugural champions as they scored in transition to rip the game wide apart and remove all the anxities caused by their sluggish start.
The performance resulted in a commanding 51-23 Patriots lead at the break. Aside from their scoring bursts, the Patriots’ defense in the second quarter was simply great as they held the Cobras to just five points.
The Patriots were never in trouble after that as Capacio’s second unit delivered significant numbers to help jump-start their bid to reclaim the title they lost to Chang Thailand Slammers last season.
The Cobras managed to score 19 points in the third but that was not enough to cause damage as the Patriots were still way ahead, 68-42.
Feeling comfortable with his Filipino teammates, Nakiea Miller was almost unstoppable, scoring 10 points each in the first and second quarters to set the tone for the team’s auspicious start in the game presented by PG Flex Linoleum.
The 6-foot-10 Miller finished with 24 points aside posting 18 rebounds and four blocks while Anthony Johnson chipped in 17 points and five boards.
Ardy Larong was the key local contributor with eight points, two rebounds and six assists. Warren Ybanez scored nine points while Jonathan Fernandez hit eight markers.
BOX SCORES:
PH PATRIOTS 86 – Miller 24, Johnson 17, Ybanez 9, Fernandez 8, Larong 8, Laure 6, Ramos 4, Vergara 4, Rodriguez 4, Juntilla 2, Raymundo 0, Arellano 0.
BANGKOK 58 – Brown 11, Cruz 9, Apiromvilaichi 9, Lewis 9, Kruatiwa 8, Kongkum 6, Limsuwan 6, Chaiwat 0.
Quarters: 22-18; 51-23; 68-42; 86-58./Correspondent Jonas Panerio
