Patriots face Slingers anew

THE AIRASIA Philippine Patriots will try for a repeat of their win early in the season against the Singapore Slingers when the two squads clash today in the Asean Basketball League at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The Patriots are expected to be a more dangerous squad now with import Nakiea Miller finding his scoring touch. Last year’s Best Import awardee had 19 points, including a crucial three-pointer that helped push the Patriots to a 90-87 win over the Malaysia Dragons last weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

Miller also added 14 rebounds as the Patriots remained on top of the standings with their 10-2 (win-loss) mark. Nipping at their heels are the San Miguel Beermen with a 10-3 card. The Beermen were playing against the Saigon Heat at presstime.

Patriots head coach Glenn Capacio is hoping to get another all-around performance from the 6-foot-6 Bogs Raymundo and Kiko Adriano in order to follow up their 80-75 win in the first round, a game marked by several skirmishes between Singapore’s former import Donald Little against Ardy Larong and Erick Rodriguez.

Adriano, a new acquisition, made his presence felt with his veteran smarts against the Indonesian Warriors and the Saigon Heat while Raymundo was spectacular against the Dragons as he hit all of his six shots and finished with 12 points. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio