RP Patriots, Slingers dispute solo ABL lead

MANILA—The Philippine Patriots gun for a second straight victory Saturday against a Singapore squad loaded with scoring threats in the AirAsia Asean Basketball League.   Coach Louie Alas wants his Patriots to play more aggressive defense versus the Slingers, who are also vying for a second win with highly rated American imports Kyle Jeffers and Marcus Skinner and Filipino reinforcements Al Vergara and Leo Avenido.   Game time is 8 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.   “I think the Slingers were able to beat the PBA teams they played against [during the preseason scrimmages],” said Alas. “They’re definitely one of the tougher teams this year.”   The Patriots struggled to forge a 71-62 triumph over the Brunei Barracudas last Sunday, and Alas admitted that the defending champions, who only have three holdovers from last year’s squad, still lack cohesiveness.   The two new American imports paced the Patriots with Anthony Johnson posting 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Donald Little adding 11 points and eight boards.   Last season’s Finals MVP Warren Ybañez stepped up for the locals together with Erwin Sta. Maria, Allein Maliksi and Junjun Cabatu.   “Our game against the Slingers will be our acid test defensively since they have imports who are very tricky in the shaded lane,” said Alas. “They’re also good from the perimeter.”   The Slingers—with Jeffers burying 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and Skinner firing 19 points and hauling down 10 boards —nipped last year’s runner-up Indonesia Satria Muda BritAma, 94-93, to join the Patriots and the Thailand Slammers on top during the opening weekend.   Avenido shone on his debut with the Slingers by drilling 15 of his team-high 20 points from beyond the arc and Vergara also had an impressive outing with 17 points.