INQUIRER Sports

WITH THEIR FAMILIARITY with the Filipinos? playing style, the Brunei Barracudas have given Philippine Patriots coach Louie Alas a reason to be wary when his team hosts the foreigners on Saturday in the Asean Basketball League at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

?That?s our problem right now,? Alas said. ?They have an idea on how we run our offense and defense.?

Notwithstanding their 1-2 record, the Barracadus offer a stern test for the Patriots because of their experienced lineup bannered by American imports Lonnis Jones and Michael Pilgrim and former PBA players Leo Avenido, Don Camaso and Kiko Adriano.

Both the Barracudas? defeats have come against the pacesetting Singapore Slingers.

Alas noted that the Barracudas? Filipino coach Bong Ramos knows RP?s offensive and defensive patterns.

The multi-titled mentor, who also calls the shots for Letran in the NCAA, was also impressed with how the Barracudas improved from their first game.

?After losing by a huge margin in their first game, they mauled the Malaysians in their next game and they almost beat the Slingers the second time they met,? said Alas. ?They have improved a lot.?

The Patriots are coming off a 74-61 drubbing of the Thailand Tigers in a game where new recruits Nonoy Baclao and Elmer Espiritu provided additional muscle in defense.

Baclao and Espiritu combined for 10 blocks and drew praise from team owners Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco.