Patriots buck absent import, rip Heat

AIRASIA Philippines got a timely boost from Kiko Adriano as the Patriots bucked the absence of three vital cogs against the Saigon Heat, 73-57, in the Asean Basketball League on Wednesday night at the Tan Binh Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Adriano, who joined the team only last week, pumped in 15 points in 22 minutes of action to help the Patriots survive past a Saigon squad that came out fighting.

The Patriots stayed solo on top at 9-2 even minus top scorer Anthony Johnson and rugged veterans Ardy Larong and Erick Rodriguez, who all served a one-game suspension for figuring in a brawl.

Coach Glenn Capacio also credited locals Aldrech Ramos, Al Vergara, Jonathan Fernandez, Warren Ybañez and Rob Wainwright for their strong plays on both ends as the Patriots’ lone import, Nakiea Miller, also got into foul trouble.

“We won that game because of our defense,” said Capacio. “Our offense naturally came because of the touches, but it was more about defense.”

Adriano scored on a reverse layup to cap a 10-0 blast at the start of the fourth period as the Patriots started to pull away from the tight match at 60-45.

Ramos buried 11 points, while Vergara collected eight markers, three assists and four steals.

Miller, who had 10 markers and 13 rebounds, rode the bench in the third period after picking up his fourth foul.

The Patriots also snapped the three-game winning streak of the Heat, who revived their campaign behind new import Jahmar Thorpe.

Thorpe, posting numbers below his averages, had 15 points on a 5-of-15 shooting clip  and turned the ball over eight times.

“The players took turns in defending Thorpe,” said Capacio.
The scores:
AIRASIA PHILIPPINES 73—Adriano 15, Ramos 11, Miller 10, Fernandez 9, Vergara 8, Ybañez 7, Wainwright 7, Saldua 2, Laure 2, Raymundo 2, Juntilla 0.
SAIGON 57—Jones 28, Thorpe 15, Smith 6, Javier 6, Sanz 2, Trieu 0, Nguyen 0, Pham 0.
Quarters: 19-15, 34-30, 50-45, 73-57