Beermen, Warriors open ABL Season 4
MANILA, Philippines — Season 4 of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) rolls off next week with a rematch of last year’s finals.
The defending champion Indonesia Warriors test a San Miguel Beer squad bent on snatching the crown this year in the lone opening game on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at Mahaka Square in Jakarta.
The Beermen, the title favorites who settled for a runner-up finish last season, will be the only Philippine team in the regional league after the AirAsia Philippine Patriots opted to take a leave this year.
Parading a retooled roster, the Beermen shoot for the title this time with a slew of PBA veterans led by former superstars Asi Taulava and Eric Menk together with new coach Leo Austria.
Austria, who served as an assistant last season, took over last month after Bobby Parks stepped down from the head coaching job due to health reasons.
Teaming up with Menk and Taulava are reigning MVP Leo Avenido, Chris Banchero, RJ Rizada, Paolo Hubalde and American imports Gabe Freeman and Brian Williams.
