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GAME TODAY
(Ynares Sports Arena)
4 p.m.?Philippine Patriots vs Thailand Tigers

MANILA, Philippines ? Boosted by recent acquisitions, the Philippine Patriots hope to focus more on defense in their third game in the Asean Basketball League.

Nonoy Baclao and Elmer Espiritu will provide defensive muscle for the Patriots when they host the Thailand Tigers today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Admission is free for the 4 p.m. duel.

?We?re almost complete in every position,? said Patriots coach Louie Alas, who will be taking over from assistant Bogs Adornado in the region?s first home-and-away commercial league. ?There?s no reason why we can?t play better than in our first two games.?

The Patriots tapped Ateneo?s Baclao and University of the East?s Espiritu ? the UAAP?s top two defensive players in the last two years ? along with UE shooter Val Acuña to beef up their roster.

Alas said the Patriots, tied with the Kuala Lumpur Dragons and Indonesia Satria Muda BritAma at 1-1, should also make the most out of their homecourt advantage.

?We will be playing in front of our supporters, so that?s another motivation on our part,? said Alas, who will call the shots for the first time after fulfilling his coaching duties with the Letran Knights.

?But the most important thing for us now is to play as a team and with passion.?

Alas said the Patriots should be wary of Thailand?s Filipino import Ricky Ricafuente, who unloaded 23 points last Sunday as the Tigers gave the Indonesians a scare before dropping a 78-75 decision.