Patriots remain at helm, torch Saigon

MANILA, Philippines - The AirAsia Philippine Patriots bucked the absence of key players, including import Anthony Johnson, as they shut down the Saigon Heat, 73-57, to remain on top of the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last Wednesday.

Kiko Adriano and Al Vergara took over in the fourth quarter as the Patriots turned a running tight contest into a runaway victory, their ninth against two losses, holding off the San Miguel Beermen, who moved within at 9-3 with a 75-65 romp over the Singapore Slingers, also last Wednesday.

Adriano, who joined the team last week, proved to be a worthy addition as he came off the bench to fire 15 points. Vergara tallied eight points, three assists and four steals while forcing several Saigon turnovers in the fourth period.

Aldrech Ramos, Jonathan Fernandez, Warren Ybanez and Rob Wainwright also stepped up in the absence of Anthony Johnson and Ardy Larong due to suspension while Nakiea Miller, the team’s other import, bucked early foul trouble to help the team register its second victory in a three-game, 10-day road trip.

Miller had 10 points and 13 rebounds but was forced to sit on the bench with 3:24 left in the third period after committing his fourth foul for elbowing Jonathan Jones.

The Patriots led, 44-41, at that point but the local crew hit key shots at the end of the third and the final quarter with Adriano scoring a reverse layup off a crossover dribble for a 60-45 lead with 4:34 left in the game.

They also wore down the Heat with pressure defense, with former PBA import Jahmar Thorpe held to 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting while making eight turnovers.

Wainwright, Ramos, Fernandez and Bogs Raymundo shared defensive duties on him.

The Heat fell to 3-8.