Patriots open ABL season vs Bangkok Cobras

THE AirAsia Philippine Patriots hope they have learned their lessons well from their finals loss in the ASEAN Basketball League last year as they aim to galvanize their campaign this season when they play the Bangkok Cobras in their opening game this Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.

The Patriots of Mikee Romera lost to the Chang Thailand Slammers in the finals last season, their first loss since amassing 10 titles in three different competitions from 2005 to the present.

“It’s painful for us but I think somehow, the championship has to stop but it also has to begin again. And I think 2012 will be the year,” said Romero.  “We are ready to rumble,” Romero added.

In their goal of reclaiming the ABL crown, the Patriots have assembled the best possible line-up available from top to bottom in preparation for the third season that will be played with a strenuous triple-round robin format.

Only point guard Warren Ybanez is the holdover with new faces including head coach Glenn Capacio, former SMART-Gilas center Aldrech Ramos, imports Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson, Marcy Arellano, Jonathan Fernandez, Al Vergara, Rob Wainright, Eddie Laure, Erick Rodriguez, Angel Raymundo and Cebuanos Reed Juntilla and Ardy Larong in the team.

The Patriots, the inaugural titlist of the league, will be among the eight teams competing which includes expansion teams San Miguel Beermen, Saigon Heat and Bangkok Cobras, defending champion Chang Thailand Slammers, Westport Malaysia Dragons, Indonesia Warriors and Singapore Slingers. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio