Patriots not taking Slammers lightly in non-bearing tiff

MANILA, Philippines - It’s a non-bearing match for them but AirAsia Patriots coach Glenn Capacio wants his semis-bound wards to take on deposed champion Chang Thailand Slammers in tonight’s AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League road game as if their semis aspirations depended on it.

“We’re entering the game with the same mindset – to win,” Capacio said of the 7 p.m. match (8 p.m. in Manila) at the Thai-Japan Association Gym in Bangkok, where the No. 2 Patriots (15-5) seek to close out their elims campaign on winning note and sweep the Slammers (5-15) in their three meetings this season.

“I don’t want to go into the playoffs coming

 off a loss. I want all things to be positive as we enter the semis,” added Capacio, whose team will meet the No. 3 seed (either Indonesia Warriors of Westports Malaysia) in the semis and enjoy homecourt advantage. “We need to be in sharp form because winning Game 1 of the series will be important.”

Capacio hopes to draw more support from import Nakiea Miller and his local crew as he paces Anthony Johnson, their prolific reinforcement who’s still shaking off a groin injury. 

Not 100 percent and all, the 6-foot-6 Johnson gave it his all in their last outing, dropping 20 of his 26 points in the fourth to lead the team co-owned by businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco and Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero to a 90-84 victory over Jobstreet.com Singapore Slingers at home.

Capacio is also keen on improving the Patriots’ defense, which was suspect in much of the game against the Slingers.

“We have to maintain intensity on defense for four full quarters. Otherwise, we’ll get eaten alive in the semis,” Capacio said, whose team dumped the Slammers twice, 81-72 and 89-68.

Although they failed to defend the crown, the Slammers of coach Felton Sealey aim to end their season with a major upset win as they get back to the drawing board for next year’s campaign.