RP Patriots leave for ABL war today

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots leave for Jakarta today as they try to enhance the country’s lofty status in the region in the first ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Invitational Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia.

While they are fully prepared and motivated to face the Indons in their 5 p.m. encounter tomorrow at the Britama Arena, the Patriots will be without head coach Louie Alas due to his commitment to Letran which is now deep in preparation for the forthcoming Final Four war in the NCAA.

Alas will also miss the Patriot’s game against the Singapore Slingers next week in Singapore but that poses little problem for the Patriots.

“My instruction is very clear, they have to play as one big fighting unit because they will be playing against our long-time rival,” said Alas. “The Indons are very strong, they have been playing together for a long time.”

Without Alas, former two-time PBA MVP Bogs Adornado will call the shots for the Patriots – co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero and TV-5 (formerly ABC-5) top honcho Tony Boy Cojuangco.

Playing against the Indons right in their home court, Romero said the Patriots must play at the top of their game and with lots of passion to hurdle their first test in this home-and-away tournament.

“So long that you’re playing for your flag and country, it’s imperative that you have to go out and play with pride and passion, and that’s my message to our players. This is another war that we have to win at all costs,” he said.