ABL: It’s RP Patriots vs Indons in ABL finals
MANILA,
Feb. 9 (PNA) -- 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’s 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 2 scheduled on February 17 at The Arena in San Juan before the
series shifts to BritAma Arena on February 21.
If necessary, Game 4 will also be held at BritAma on Feb. 24 and Game 5 be back at the Ynares on Feb. 28.
Though
the Patriots have beaten the Indons three times in the elims, Romero
and coach Louie Alas expect the title series to be 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. (PNA)
LDV/LOR
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