FOR FIRST ABL CAGE CROWN

It’s RP Patriots vs Indonesia’s Satria Muda

02/09/2010

Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma earned the right to face the Philippine Patriots in the first-ever finals of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) by downing the Singapore Slingers, 86-76, in their knockout match Sunday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

After a quiet first half, Satria Muda import Nakiea Miller came to life in the last two quarters, scoring 20 points to lead his team to victory and arrange a best-of-three title showdown with the Patriots of Harbour Centre president and CEO Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco.

The title series starts on Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig with Game Two scheduled on Feb. 17 at The Arena in San Juan before the series shifts to BritAma Arena on Feb. 21. If necessary, Game Four will also be held at BritAma on Feb. 24 and Game Five will return to the Ynares on Feb. 28.

Though the Patriots have beaten the Indons three times during the eliminations, Romero and coach Louie Alas expect the title series to be a tight and exciting one.

“We have an intense rivalry with Indonesia dating back our days in the SEABA Club Championship, so I expect the series to be an emotional one. But I have strong faith in our boys, we’re determined to win the first-ever title of the tournament,” said Romero.

Romero, who also funded the Philippine basketball team in the 2007 SEA Games where the Nationals posted a record winning average margin of 42 points, said the Patriots, especially imports Gabe Freeman and Jason Dixon, are all pumped up to battle the Indons.

‘They’re all ready for the series,” said team manager Erick Arejola. “Coach Louie is now working on the details of our preparation.”

With just two points to his name in the first half, and perhaps troubled by an incident off the ball with the Slingers’ Filipino point guard Al Vergara, Miller was a different player after the interval, coming through one big play after another to frustrate the home crowd.

The Slingers had the change to turn the game but poor execution down the stretch led to their downfall as the Indonesians pulled away late to earn a memorable victory.

While Miller took some time to adjust to the pace of the game, his fellow import Alex Hartman carried his team on his back in the first half where he scored 21 points. He eventually finished with 30 markers.

Hartman’s duel with Freeman is expected to provide a sub story in the series.

“I’m sure, they will try to outshine each other in the series,” said Romero of the expected shootout between Freeman and Hartman.

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