Philippine Patriots too much for Saigon Heat

ABL/ Ali Vicoy

BANGKOK, Thailand—Import Anthony Johnson put on a shooting clinic in the second half as the AirAsia Philippine Patriots overcame a sluggish start and routed the Saigon Heat, 75-59, Friday in the To Be Number One Basketball Challenge at the Nimibutr National Stadium here.

The 6-foot-6 Johnson scattered 24 of his 26 points in the last two quarters to lift the debuting Patriots in the preseason tournament designed to raise funds for the victims of the massive flood that hit the Thai capital last October.

Johnson struggled offensively early in the game but when he found his rhythm, he was almost unstoppable from almost everywhere—from long range, perimeter and even at the post.

The win was a big boost for the team co-owned by business tycoon Tony Boy Cojuangco and sportsman Mikee Romero. The host team is practically the same squad that dethroned the Patriots last season.

The Patriots and the Slammers are playing at presstime for a finals berth in the four-day tournament. The Finals will be held today.

Despite the lopsided win, Patriots coach Glenn Capacio was hardly satisfied: “Hopefully we can perform better against Thailand because we can’t afford to relax.”

The 6-10 Nakiea Miller, the team’s other import, posted a double-double with 15 points and 17 boards while Rob Wainwright and Jonathan Fernandez combined for 17 points.

With former NBA cager Julius Hodge and Jonathan Jones at the helm, the Heat took an early 29-23 lead but Johnson, who had a brief stint with the Patriots last year before being felled by an injury, went to work in the third to lead the team’s searing comeback.

New PH recruit Aldrech Ramos scored only five points and team manager Erick Arejola said he expects more from the former national team mainstay.

The scores:
PH PATRIOTS 75—Johnson 26, Miller 15, Wainwright 9, Fernandez 8, Ramos 5, Larong 4, Ybanez 2, Vergara 2, Rodriguez 2, Juntilla 2, Arellano 0, Raymundo 0, Saldua 0.
SAIGON 59—Hodge 31, Jones 15, Duc Trinh 4, Linh Tran 4, Duong Nguyen 3, Smith 2, Sopheoun 0, Tung Aoan 0, Tang Pham 0, Dang Nguyen 0.
Quarters: 15-18; 27-29; 51-41; 75-59