The Philippine Patriots try to get back on the winning track when they take on the Kuala Lumpur Dragons this Saturday in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Following a six-game winning run, the shorthanded Patriots suffered a humbling 95-70 setback to the Brunei Barracudas last Sunday in Bandar Segi Begawan for just their second loss in the six-nation professional league.
Despite the defeat, the Filipino cagers remain on top of the leaderboard with a 7-2 record but will face an acid test in the Dragons, whom they beat in a hard-fought 73-63 win a month ago in Malaysia.
“We have to play really smart if we want to get back on the winning track,” said team manager Erick Arejola. “We have to win four of last six games to clinch the No. 1 seeding in the semis.”
In losing to the Barracudas, the Patriots played sans young big men Nonoy Baclao after leading Ateneo to the Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown over Far Eastern University and Elmer Espiritu because of a broken cheek bone.
But the good news for coach Louie Alas is that Baclao will return to action while Espiritu remains doubtful since his injury came two weeks ago when he was hit by Satria Muda BritAma's American import Nakiea Miller.
Game Saturday (Ynares Sports Arena)
4PM RP Patriots vs KL Dragons
No comments:
Post a Comment