Revamped RP Patriots no ABL pushovers

Volatile ex-pro Alex Crisano and five former collegiate stars get to revive their playing careers when they play for the defending champion Philippine Patriots in the Air Asia Asean Basketball League (ABL) kicking off on Oct. 2.

The new recruits will join three holdovers from last year’s team as well as American imports Anthony Johnson and Donald Little, who arrived last week.

“We’ll definitely have a competitive team,” said Patriots coach Louie Alas, who kept veteran guard Warren 

Ybañez, last season’s Finals MVP, forward Erwin Sta. Maria and guard JP Alcaraz.

The hulking Crisano, a 6-foot-7 Filipino-American known for his antics on and off the court, last suited up for the Barako Bull in the PBA before dabbling in entertainment as a rapper.

The former college aces are Benedict Fernandez of Far Eastern U, La Salle’s Jun Cabatu, University of Santo Tomas’ Allein Maliksi, University of the East’s Kelvin Gregorio and Arellano’s Orly Daroya.

Completing the lineup are former PBA guard Egay Billiones, Allan Salang-sang, Harold Sta. Cruz and Chito Jaime.

“The players we got are all talented and just need proper exposure,” said team manager Erick Arejola.

The Patriots lost several stars to the PBA, including top rookie Nonoy Baclao and the slam-dunking Elmer Espiritu.

Last season’s Best Import Jason Dixon and Gabe Freeman failed to return due to prior commitments.

In their places are Johnson, who played in the last PBA season for Sta. Lucia, and the 6-foot-11 Little, who had stints in Europe, Mexico and South Korea.

“We thrive in our never-say-die attitude,” said Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero, who co-owns the team with businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco.

Alas picked the Singapore Slingers, the Kuala Lumpur Dragons and losing finalist Indonesia Satria Muda Britama as the other top contenders in the six-nation, home-and-away tournament.