Patriots seek 2-0 lead vs Indonesians

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Patriots hope to make the most of their homecourt edge and build a 2-0 cushion heading to Indonesia as they go for a two-to-nil lead against Satria Muda BritAma in Game Two of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) Championship today at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Patriots banked on imports Gabe Freeman and Jason Dixon in the final quarter to fashion out a 78-68 victory in the opener of their best-of-five series last Friday.

It was actually the fourth straight victory by the Patriots over the Indonesians, whom they swept in the elims but the hosts remain wary of their rivals heading into their 8 p.m. encounter.

“For the past three days, we devised ways on breaking their pressure zone defense. It’s very hard but the boys are improving,” said Patriots coach Louie Alas. “I told them that we beat them in our first three games with our own defense, now it’s time to show to them that we can play smart defense.”

Alas also stressed that Freeman joined the team just recently, replacing Brandon Powell near the end of the elims.

“We did not win those games through our offense, our defense did it for us,” Alas said.

Harbour Centre president and CEO Mikee Romero and co-owner businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco also believe that the local crew, led by Rob Wainwright, Nonoy Baclao, Val Acuna, Erwin Sta. Maria, Elmer Espiritu, Warren Ybanez and JP Alcaraz, will have to do their share to ease the load off their imports on the offensive end.