PHL teams Patriots, Beermen beat ABL foes

The AirAsia Philippine Patriots and the San Miguel Beermen beat their separate foes Saturday to remain ahead in the 3rd ASEAN Basketball League.

The Patriots defeated the Indonesia Warriors, 72-68, in a game held in Jakarta while the Beermen trounced the Chang Thailand Slammers, 92-77, at home at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

 

Aldrech Ramos buried a crucial three-pointer with 36.1 seconds left in the game to give the Patriots a 68-63 cushion after the Warriors came within two points.

 

Ramos' three-pointer allowed the Patriots to remain in the driver's seat with an 8-2 slate. Leo Avenido, meanwhile, finished with 26 points to pace the Beermen in the lopsided victory over the Slammers.

 

Avenido's triple had the Beermen enjoying a 30-point edge in the fourth quarter, 82-52, with six minutes and 46 seconds to play in the game.

 

The Beermen improved to an 8-3 win-loss card to remain third behind the Westport Malaysia Dragons' 7-2 slate.

 

San Miguel took a 27-15 advantage after the first period and went ahead even further with a 51-30 advantage at the turn.

 

The Patriots faced a tough challenge by the Warriors as Indonesia even grabbed a 55-53 lead midway in the fourth until the Philippine side made crucial baskets in the end.

 

Anthony Johnson led the Patriots with 24 points as he played before serving his one-game suspension. — JVP, GMA News