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RP Patriots to show ware before local fans

10/23/2009

After two tough road games in the Asean Basketball League, the Philippine Patriots will be finally playing at home for three straight games, including an expected grudge showdown against league-leading Singapore Slingers on Nov. 7.

But before plotting their new strategy against the 2-0 Slingers who beat them, 74-69, last Sunday, the Patriots must first beat the Thailand Tigers on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Definitely, the game on Sunday at Patriots’ home court will give them many plusses.

For one, the Patriots, who beat Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma in the lone opener two weeks back in Jakarta, will no longer have to travel for five to six hours not to mention the two-hour stopover in Kuala Lumpur — the drop off point of the home-and-away tournament — before reaching their final destination.

“It’s a good relief for the boys, they need a break from too much traveling. They’re getting weary,” said RP Patriots team manager Erick Arejola. “Of course, we also like to enjoy the thrill of playing before our home fans.”

Arejola also believes that the support of home fans will certainly give the Patriots — co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero and TV-5 (formerly ABC-5) owner Tony Boy Cojuangco — a different motivation.

“I hope all basketball fans in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces will come and support the RP Patriots. This tournament is very exciting because of its home-and-away format,” said Romero.

The game on Sunday will also mark the first time that coach Louie Alas will handle the team after missing the first two games due to his commitment with Letran, which was then preparing for the NCAA Final Four.

Though it was Alas who trained and plotted the plays for the Patriots, it was assistant coaches Bogs Adornado and Ryan Dy who called the shots during the team’s first two games.

“I’m now excited to be finally part of the action,” said Alas. “But we have to be ready against the Tigers.”

Interestingly, the Thailand Tigers is bannered by Ricky Ricafuente — an original Patriot player. The Patriots management allowed Ricafuente to play for the Tigers since he will be playing there as an import.