RP Patriots assembling fiercer team

MANILA, Philippines—A Filipino-American 6-foot-4 wingman heads the list of prospects the Philippine Patriots are aiming to recruit for their Asean Basketball League title defense starting next month.   Mark Jeffries, who suited up for the San Diego Mesa College in California, remains as the top candidate for the Patriots, who lost ace defender Nonoy Baclao and other mainstays to the PBA.   “We have a bigger pool of players (in the tryouts) than last year,” said team owner Mikee Romero in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue. “With the exception of the talent of Noy, I think we have a stronger team this year.”   The Patriots, who captured the inaugural crown by sweeping Indonesia Satria Muda in the the finals, kick off their bid against the Brunei Barracudas on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Ynares Sposrt Arena in Pasig.   “We hope to see the team win again,” said Patriots co-owner Tonyboy Cojuangco. “We hope to assemble a squad good enough to overwhelm the other teams.”   Coach Louie Alas expects to field another competitive lineup in the home-and-away tournament, which unfolds on Oct. 2 in Thailand.   “We’re forming a run-and-gun team,” said Alas. “Our focus will be on speed. Defensively, we want guys willing to play hard-nosed defense.”   Veteran guard Warren Ybañez, last season’s Finals MVP, and Jerwin Gaco return for the Patriots, who lost top rookie pick Baclao, Elmer Espiritu, Val Acuña and Khasim Mirza to the pro league.   Team manager Erick Arejola said last season’s Best Import Jason Dixon and Gabe Freeman remain doubtful due to prior commitments.   “We’re still looking for good imports,” said Arejola, who joined Cojuangco, Romero, Air Asia’s RP representative Maan Hontiveros and assistant coach Glenn Capacio in the Forum sponsored by Shakey’s, Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Accel.   “We’re eyeing Mark Jeffries, who was supposed to be a first-rounder in the PBA draft.”   Other names being floated included Alex Crisano, the mercurial former PBA center.   Rounding up the six-nation tournament are the Kuala Lumpur Dragons, Thailand Cobras and the Singapore Slingers.