Johnson: The biggest game is Patriots vs Beermen

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Patriots showed why they are tapped as preseason favorites after toying with the Bangkok Cobras last week.

American import Anthony Johnson, though, downplayed the win and instead sets his sights on the much-awaited match up with the fancied San Miguel Beermen.

The Patriots manhandled the Cobras, 86-58, in a game where the inaugural champs could have won by more points if it weren’t for several instances in which they seemed to be just playing around with their foes.

Statement game? Perhaps. But Johnson, who also played as an import in the PBA, shrugged it off and said: “We just came out aggressive. The statement will be next week when we take on San Miguel.”

Johnson, a versatile six-foot-six forward with a silky smooth stroke, easily had 17 points while fellow import six-foot-10 banger Nakiea Miller led the way with 24 points.

Head coach Glenn Capacio meanwhile, pointed out that his team needs to rely more on its quickness due to its lack of size.

And with the Beermen being one of the biggest team’s in the league, Capacio and the Patriots will have their toughest test yet.

“Will be playing a big team (San Miguel), their wingmen stands about six-foot-four to six-foot-five, so they really have the advantage when it comes to size,” noted Capacio.

“We really need to prepare extra hard and double our preparation,” added Capacio.

The Beermen wasted little time in making a good impression by repulsing the Patriots in the ABL Preseason tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.

“We need to bounce back,” said the former Far Eastern University mentor.

The Patriots tangle with the Beermen this Saturday pegged at 6 pm at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Capacio and his squad are looking to avenge their loss in the preseason while San Miguel wants no less than a win after getting stunned by the Westports Malaysia Dragons, 77-83, in overtime last Sunday.

“That’s the biggest game (against San Miguel) for us right now,” said Johnson.