Imports Jason Dixon and Gabe Freeman and local player Jerwin Gaco on Tuesday expressed confidence the team will be able to handle the challenge of Satria Muda BritAma of Indonesia in their best-of-five title series beginning Friday.
“I don’t want to disrespect the Indonesian team but personally, I believe it will be three to one in our favor," said Dixon during the PSA Forum in Manila. “We can score a win in their own court."
Under the ABL’s format, the Patriots will host the first two games while Satria Muda BritAma will host Game 3 and if necessary, Game 4. The deciding Game 5, if necessary, will get back to the Patriots’ turf.
“We have the home court advantage and if we win our first two games, ninety percent the title is ours," said the veteran Gaco.
Coach Louie Alas shared his players’ confidence although he stressed the importance of being in their best shape against the tough BritAma quintet.
The Patriots swept the Indonesian team in three elimination meetings but Alas said the championship series is a different ball game.
“The Indonesian team is a disciplined team and boasts of two imports in Alexander Hartman and Nakiea Miller who can explode at any point in the game. Winning the series is easier said than done. But I’m confident we will win this series and be the champion. Nobody remembers the runners-up and that is our motivation," said Alas.
Defense, according to the veteran mentor, will be the key as he eyes to stop the Indonesian imports aside from pressuring their ballhandlers.
“One thing that I have noticed with the BritAma team is that they have no legitimate point-guard, So our plan is to really pressure their guards and let other players bring the ball down," Alas said.
Dixon will be taking care of Miller whom he describes as a player with speed and a good outside shooting.
“I don’t expect him to play physical with me but he has good speed and can hit his outside shot. But we have laid down plans on how to stop him," said Dixon.
Freeman will be matching up with Hartman who exploded with 30 points in their deciding Game 3 against the favored Singapore Slingers.
“He’s good but I’m not worried about him. I will just go out there and do what I have to do to help this team win," said Freeman, a former PBA Best Import Awardee who steered San Miguel Beer to the title in the last conference.
Source: Author Unknown | GMANews.TV
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