PHL Patriots trounce Joe Bryant-coached Cobras in ABL opener

The AirAsia Philippine Patriots overcame a sluggish start in trouncing the visiting Bangkok Cobras, 86-58, in the opening game of the 3rd ASEAN Basketball League Saturday at the San Juan gym.

The Patriots, inaugural champions of the regional tournament, relied on the game-long brilliance of imports Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson, who combined to score almost half of the home squad’s points. Miller finished with 24 points while Johnson tallied 17 markers for the Patriots, who totally outclassed the expansion team Cobras. The Patriots ripped the game apart in the second quarter where they held the Cobras to five points en route to a 51-23 lead at the turn. Miller and Johnson led that Philippine rally when they scored a combined 30 points in the first 20 minutes of the match. "I'm happy that they helped each other on defense because Bangkok is a big team compared to us. Our campaign is off to a good start,” said Philippine Patriots coach Glenn Capacio. "Our game against San Miguel will test our true strength. But I hope we can sustain the momentum from this win," added Capacio. The Beermen, the other Philippine team, willl make their ABL debut opposite the Westport Malaysia Dragons on Sunday. Bangkok, whose team is coached by superstar Kobe Bryant's father and former Philadelphia 76er Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, only trailed 22-18 after the first period but failed to stop the Patriots' avalanche of points in the next quarter. The Cobras finally responded in the third quarter making their shots but the Patriots' 28-point halftime lead was too much to overcome. Al Vergara's lay-up with six minutes to play in the fourth quarter gave the Patriots their biggest lead in the game, 75-44. Warren Ybañez was the top local scorer for the Patriots with nine points. Bangkok's Filipino import Marvin Cruz nailed nine points for the Cobras. — JVP, GMA News Scores: