Photo from https://www.aseanbasketballleague.com
MANILA, Philippines—A flashy reverse dunk late in the game capped another huge outing from AirAsia Philippine import Anthony Johnson.
With more locals also providing ample support, the Patriots subdued the souped-up Bangkok Cobras, 80-72, Sunday night to solidify their hold of top spot in the Asean Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena.
“We really needed the support of the locals because (other import Nakiea) Miller had been struggling the past games,” said Patriots coach Glenn Capacio.
Johnson knocked in a game-high 26 points on top of 13 rebounds and six assists as the Patriots raised their streak to six games for a 7-1 record.
Ardy Larong fired 13 points, including 10 in a second-half stretch that pushed that Patriots ahead, 70-53, while veteran guard Warren Ybañez also had his most impressive outing yet with 10 markers and five assists.
The Cobras, who slipped to 3-5, proved tougher this time with Jai Reyes and Ken Bono joining Marvin Cruz as their Filipino imports.
Reyes and Cruz topscored for the Cobras with 21 points each.
Meanwhile, San Miguel coach Bobby Parks acknowledged that overconfidence doomed the Beermen in their last outing.
On a roll the last two weeks, the Beermen blew a chance to claim solo second following a repeat setback against the Westports Malaysia Dragons, 70-73, Saturday night right in San Miguel’s homecourt.
“I think the guys didn’t come out ready to play,” said Parks. “We won three straight and they probably think they can just show up and automatically win. But I’m not taking anything away from Malaysia, they came out and shot the ball well.”
The Beermen— who also absorbed their first loss against the Dragons, 77-83, in overtime, in Kuala Lumpur last month— slipped to third at 5-3.
Since that opening-day loss, the Beermen had made key adjustments by tapping new import Doug Thomas and former PBA cagers Aris Dimaunahan and John Ferriols.
Rajko Toroman, the Serbian coach who mentored the Smart Gilas national team, sat behind the Beermen’s bench last Saturday in his new capacity as consultant of SMC’s basketball programs.
“The positive thing is [the losses happened] early in the season and we have a chance to bounce back.” said Parks. “And another positive is we didn’t give up. ”
Surprising the Beermen right in the first half, the Dragons dropped a 28-4 bomb to take a 32-17 lead that grew to 40-20 at halftime.
Although the Beermen rallied to move within two, 70-68, Malaysia’s import Tiras Wade responded with clutch free throws in the dwindling seconds.
“Every time you come down by 20 points against a good team, it’s hard to come back,” said Parks. “We have to be ready next game, we have to play better for sure.”
The scores:
AIRASIA PHILIPPINES 80—Johnson 26, Larong 13, Ybañez 10, Miller 9, Wainwright 5, Fernandez 5, Ramos 5, Raymundo 3, Laure 2, Vergara 2, Rodriguez 0, Juntilla 0.
BANGKOK 72—Cruz 21, Reyes 21, Kruatiwa 9, Earl 8, Lewis 7,Wanna 4, Chaiwat 2, Bono 0, Apiromvilaichai 0.
Quarters: 20-16, 36-27, 60-47, 80-72