REINFORCEMENT Nakiea Miller threw his weight around inside the paint to power the AirAsia Philippine Patriots past the JobStreet.com Singapore Slingers, 82-70, last night in the AirAsia Asean Basketball League atthe Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Miller posted his eighth double-double of the season—22 points and 15 rebounds—as the Patriots rolled to a fourth straight road win and improved their leading record to 11-2.
Another import, Anthony Johnson, also came through with another solid outing for the Patriots with 24 points, doing most of the damage in the fourth period.
Buoyed by victories in Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh and Kuala Lumpur, the Patriots, co-owned by Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco, came to Singapore oozing with confidence.
It was the Patriots’ biggest triumph in all their visits to the Lion City since the league started two years ago.
Miller took charge in the third period, nailing back-to-back baskets to extend the lead, 55-45, with 3:33 remaining after the Slingers threatened at 45-49.
The local crew also made their presence felt with Al Vergara chipping in nine points and Jonathan Fernandez hitting two triples in the third period and early in the final quarter.
More importantly, the Patriots tightened their grip of the top spot ahead of fierce rival San Miguel by a game and a half. The Beermen dropped to 10-4 after bowing to the Saigon Heat, 63-66, Saturday.
The Slingers fell to their eighth loss in the last nine games for a 5-9 record.
The Patriots return to Manila for their first home game in almost a month on Saturday against the defending champions Chang Thailand Slammers at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Cedelf P. Tupas