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The AirAsia Philippine Patriots steamrolled past expansion team Bangkok Cobras, 86-58, Saturday in their inaugural game of the third season of the ASEAN Basketball League at the San Juan Gym.
Last season’s Best Import Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson led the Patriots’ first half onslaught scoring 24 and 17 points respectively to kickstart their campaign on a high note.
Miller and Johnson combined for 30 points in the first half while forcing the Cobras to just five points in the second quarter.
“We are a small team so we have to concentrate on our help defense. Maganda ‘yung nangyari at nagtulungan sila especially defense,” said Patriots coach Glenn Capacio.
Talent-wise, the Patriots were the better team than the Cobras, which feature seven-foot Genry Lewis and six-foot-11 Bruce Brown as reinforcements.
“Lugi talaga kami sa height pero ginamit naming yung aming quickness,” said Capacio.
The Patriots dominated the boards, 44-35, with Miller grabbing 18 boards. They also rejected six shots while the Cobras had no blocks to show .
The Cobras, coached by the Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, were within shouting distance trailing by just four points, 22-18, but the Patriots erupted for 29 points in the second period to pull away.
The lead swelled to its highest at 31 points on an Al Vergara lay-up with 6:51 left to play in the game.
Warren Ybanez had nine points while Jonathan Fernandez and Ardy Larong chipped in eight markers for the Patriots.
Scores:
AIRASIA PHILIPPINE PATRIOTS 86 — Miller 24, Johnson 17, Ybanez 9, Fernandez 8, Larong 8, Laure 6, Ramos 4, Vergara 4, Rodriguez 4, Juntilla 2, Raymundo 0, Arellano 0.
BANGKOK 58 — Brown 11, Cruz 9, Apiromvilaichai 9, Lewis 9, Kruatiwa 8, Kongkum 6, Chaiwat 0, Klahan 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 51-23, 68-42, 86-58.
Source: Reuben Terrado, InterAKTV
