PH Patriots rip Saigon cagers; Slingers turn back Beermen

MANILA, Philippines—One Philippine squad wiggled out of a tight situation while another faltered in the endgame in the Asean Basketball League on Wednesday night.

Imports Anthony Johnson and Nakiea Miller combined for the AirAsia Philippines’ last 11 points as the Patriots held off the rallying Saigon Heat for a 76-62 victory at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Over in Singapore, San Miguel’s comeback bid hit a snag as  the host Slingers downed the Beermen, 71-63, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“I don’t know if we played with overconfidence or what, but I think they realized that they can’t take Saigon for granted,” said Patriots coach Glenn Capacio as the former champions improved to 3-1 for a share of second with the Westports Malaysia Dragons.

“We weren’t playing good in the first half, but the boys did well down the stretch.”

The Beermen, torched by Singapore’s Filipino import Donald Dulay, dropped to fourth at 2-2 along with the Bangkok Cobras.

June Mar Fajardo tied the game at 59, before Dulay added five of his game-high 23 points  in the Slingers’ 12-4 windup.

A former Rain or Shine cager in the PBA, Dulay was  4-of-4  from three-point range in the first quarter as  the Slingers opened an early 24-14 lead.

The Slingers, who claimed the solo lead at 4-1, spoiled the Beermen’s bid for a third straight victory.

The scores:
First Game
AIRASIA PHILIPPINES 76—Johnson 23, Miller 20, Fernandez 12, Vergara 10, Rodriguez 5, Larong 4, Arellano 2, Ybañez 0, Wainwright 0, Saldua 0, Laure 0, Raymundo 0.
SAIGON 62—Hodge 26, Jones 21, Smith 6, Trieu 6, Oeun 3, Nguyen 0, Pham 0, Doan 0.
Quarters: 21-9, 35-30, 57-45, 76-62
Second Game
SINGAPORE 71—Dulay 23, Graham 16, Wong 11, Little 10, Oh 5, Canta 5, Matialakan 1, Lim 0, Khoong 0.
SAN MIGUEL 63—Johnson 19, Baguion 15, Thomas 10, Fajardo 6, Avenido 4, Rizada 4, Fernandez 3, Dela Peña 2, Gonzales 0, Luanzon 0, Mangahas 0, Cabatu 0.
Quarters: 24-14, 39-25, 54-48, 71-63