Patriots survive Slingers

THE AIRASIA Philippine Patriots leaned on the efforts of their local stalwarts Al Vergara, Bogs Raymundo and Aldrech Ramos to down the Singapore Slingers, 80-75, in a physical contest in the 3rd AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League late Sunday evening at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The locals had little choice but to step up as their star import Nakiea Miller got into foul trouble early on and was largely neutralized by the rugged defense that was played on him. He ended up with just 10 points and three rebounds, a far cry from his norms of 20 points and 16 boards.

Aside from Miller’s poor outing, the Patriots also survived several dubious calls and non-calls to notch their fourth straight and fifth win overall in six games and keep their hold of the solo lead in tournament. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio