ABL: Patriots to end 3-game road trip vs Dragons in Malaysia

The Philippine Patriots aim to sweep a rigorus three-game road trip, which ends Saturday against the struggling Westports Malaysia Dragons in the 3rd ASEAN Basketball League at MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The Patriots, holding a league-best 9-2 card, hope to hurdle the Dragons in their 3 p.m. encounter and repeat their 86-72 pummeling of the Malaysian side last month. The Dragons, despite losing their last two games against the Saigon Heat and Bangkok Cobras, are still a dangerous foe. "They're (Malaysia) coming off a loss and we expect them to go all out to avoid losing three straight. They will be playing on their home court," said coach Glenn Capacio. The return of import Anthony Johnson and Ardy Larong, who both served one-game suspension, is a welcome news for the Patriots. The Patriots, despite Johnson and Larong's absence plus second reinforcement Nakiea Miller in foul trouble, turned to their locals in completing a 73-57 win over the Saigon Heat last Wednesday. Kiko Adriano and Al Vergara stepped up in the payoff period to secure a Patriots victory in Ho Chi Minh City. Malaysia is still at third (7-4) despite losing back-to-back. Former PBA import Tiras Wade, Brian Williams, Patrick Cabahug, Nic Belasco and Guga Batumalai will be leadin the way for the Ariel Vanguardia-coached Dragons. — JVP, GMA News