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Eder Saldua and Eddie Laure were key in a crucial third quarter run as the AirAsia Philippine Patriots posted an 89-68 victory over the Chang Thailand Slammers Saturday in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Saldua and Laure had seven and six points each in the game and played only 10 minutes, but they contributed on both ends during a 10-0 blast after the Patriots sprung their fullcourt defense to start the third period with a 42-33 lead.
That run proved to be pivotal as the Patriots took the lead for good after the Slammers hung on in the game, ending the first half with a 33-32 lead.
“Ganoon naman lagi ang storya ng team namin,” said AirAsia Philippine Patriots coach Glenn Capacio. “I’m happy na deep ang bench ko, walang angat sa grupo, same level of play lang sila.”
Anthony Johnson finished with 23 points while Nakiea Miller added 17 points and 15 rebounds to pace the Patriots as they improved to a league-best 12-2 win-loss card.
Johnson began the run with two free throws and Laure and Saldua ended with baskets after a good defensive job with their pressing game for the Patriots.
After the Slammers came to within nine points, 61-52, after the third quarter, the Patriots used their pressing defense again pumping six consecutive points for another big lead in the game.
Calvin Williams contributed 27 points and 20 rebounds for the Slammers, who dropped to a 5-10 win-loss slate.
The Patriots were sluggish in the first half as the Slammers took advantage of 15-of-18 free throws in the first half as against only four attempts by the Philippine squad to stay in contention in the game up until the first half.
Source: Art Requiron, InterAKTV
