Patriots to size up rivals in Challenge tiff

BANGKOK – The AirAsia Philippine Patriots step up their build-up for the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League 3 as they clash with newcomer Saigon Heat in the pre-season tournament dubbed “To Be No. 1 Basketball Challenge” here.

Patriots coach Glenn Capacio said he will use the event to size up their rivals for the third season of the regional tournament slated Jan. 14.

“We still need to jell and we’ll use the tournament for team building,” said Capacio. “At the same time, we can scout our rivals.”

He also stressed the need to build a better communication inside the court which he hopes to achieve after the tournament.

Aside from the Patriots, also taking part in the fund-raising event for the victims of the city’s massive flooding are the San Miguel Beermen, Singapore Slingers, Indonesia Warriors and the Bangkok Cobras.

The six teams will be divided into two groups with the top teams after the single-round robin advancing to the finals on Sunday.

The squad, co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco, will face the Cobras the following day. San Miguel, Singapore and Indonesia (formerly Satria Muda BritAma) composed the other group.

Former Smart-Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Aldrech Ramos and imports Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson will lead the Patriots’ bid along with veterans Al Vergara, Reed Juntilla, Jonathan Fernandez, Erick Rodriguez, Ardy Larong, Warren Ybañez, Eddie Laure, Rob Wainwright, Marcy Arellano, Eder Saldua and Angel Raymundo.