PH teams keep top 2 ABL slots

THE AIRASIA Philippine Patriots proved too sharp in the second half and overpowered reigning titlist Chang Thailand Slammers, 89-68, for their fifth straight victory last night in the AirAsia Asean Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Getting a huge lift from reserves Eder Saldua and Eddie Laure, the league-leading Patriots pulled away in the third period en route to their 12th win in 14 games.

The two Philippine teams in the league actually pulled through on a busy day in the league with the San Miguel Beermen fashioning out a tight 69-67 victory over the Indonesia Warriors in Jakarta.

Leo Avenido scored 16 points, including the go-ahead basket with 16 seconds remaining, as the Beermen improved to 11-4 for second spot behind the Patriots.

Imports Anthony Johnson and Nakeia Miller continued their solid play as the Patriots, co-owned by Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco, overcame a slow start in a rematch of last year’s finals won by the Slammers.

In their first home game in close to a month, the Patriots drew strength from their full-court press in the third period to frustrate the Slammers, who fell to their 10th loss in 15 outings.

“We were sluggish at the start but we responded well in the second half,” said coach Glenn Capacio. “We went to our full court press and luckily they didn’t make any adjustments.”

Hardly used in the opening half, Saldua and Laure sparked the Patriots’ 14-0 burst in the early minutes of the third quarter that turned a 32-33 deficit to a 46-33 lead.

Johnson had 23 points, five rebounds and six assists while Miller shrugged off a mild sprain to finish with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The scores:
AIRASIA PH 89—Johnson 23, Miller 17, Adriano 8, Saldua 7, Wainwright 7, Laure 6, Fernandez 5, Ybanez 5, Raymundo 4, Larong 4, Ramos 2, Vergara 1.
THAILAND 68—Williams 27, Garnett 15, Angeles 9, Leynes 6, Suttisin 3, Jantuma 3, Wongsawangtum 3, Lertmalaiporn 2, Supachia 0, Tintai 0, Ghogar 0.
Quarters: 19-18; 32-33; 61-50; 89-68