PHL Patriots face Joe Bryant-coached Bangkok Cobras in ABL opener

The AirAsia Philippine Patriots begin its search to reclaim the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) title against the Bangkok Cobras, coached by the father of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.

The Patriots face the expansion team Cobras on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the San Juan gym in their quest to regain supremacy in the third season of the eight-team league.

 

Expecting to face stiff competition in their title bid this season, the Patriots beefed up their roster starting from the coaching staff and named former Far Eastern University (FEU) mentor Glenn Capacio as bench tactician.

Capacio admits that he knows little about the Cobras aside from their coach, no less than Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, and Filipino reinforcement Marvin Cruz.

 

On paper, the Patriots will have their hands full as the Cobras have the two tallest imports in the league in seven-foot Genry Lewis and 6-foot-11 Bruce Brown.

 

“We don’t know their imports and their players so that’s a really big problem. I’m sure they have already scouted us. I hope that we can adjust easily in our first game,” said Capacio.

 

The older Bryant played eight seasons in the NBA and also saw action in Italian professional leagues in the 1980s. He also had a coaching stint with the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.

 

Cruz, meanwhile, is seeking to revive his basketball career after he last played for Barako Bull in 2010.

 

Last season’s ABL Best Import Nakiea Miller and former PBA import Anthony Johnson will reinforce the Patriots that include Aldrech Ramos, Al Vergara, Ardy Larong, Marcy Arellano, Rob Wainright and Eddie Laure.

 

Also in the team are Jonathan Fernandez, Reed Juntilla, Erick Rodriguez, Angelus Raymundo and Warren Ybanez.

 

"That's one good challenge for these guys, they want to prove something," said Harbour Center CEO and president Mikee Romero, who co-owns the team with Tony Boy Cojuangco. "But watch out for our locals, too."

 

Also debuting on Sunday is the San Miguel Beermen, the second Philippine team, as they will take on the Westport Malaysia Dragons at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. — JVP, GMA News