ABL: Patriots, Beermen clash in All-Filipino showdown

The Philippine Patriots and San Miguel Beermen will try to accomplish separate goals in Saturday's game in the 3rd AirAsia ASEAN Basketbal League (ABL) at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The Patriots and Beermen face-off at 6 p.m. with the former aiming for a second straight win after an opening day 86-58 triumph over the Bangkok Cobras while San Miguel, an expansion team in the regional league, tries to bounce back from a stunning 83-77 overtime defeat to the Westports Malaysia Dragons in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Patriots coach Glen Capacio, despite the 28-point winning margin, stressed that their true test will be against the Beermen. The Patriots and the Beermen collide for the first time since playing in the Finals of the To Be Number One Basketball Challenge last month in Bangkok, Thailand. San Miguel defeated the Patriots, 84-76, to rule the  preseason tourney. "We're still adjusting at that time, no stamina on the part of our imports. But this time, they're all ready," said Capacio. "We're going to play against a big team. They got the size advantage. So we have to prepare hard and we need to bounce back against them after the loss in Thailand." Imports Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson will lead the Patriots' charge alongside Ardy Larong, Jonathan Fernandez, Al Vergara and Warren Ybañez. Reinforcement Dalon Johnson and locals Junjun Cabatu, Benedict Fernandez and center June Mar Fajardo will try to steer the Bobby Parks-coached Beermen to their first win. — JVP, GMA News