Capacio wants Patriots to have winning mood before the semis starts

The Philippines host the Malaysia Dragons at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, with the Patriots aiming for another win that would keep them in step with the San Miguel Beermen in the 3rd ASEAN Basketball League. The Patriots, fresh from a hard-fought 76-70 triumph over the Saigon Heat to snap a two-game slide, are favored to repeat over the visiting Dragons after beating the Malaysian squad in the first two rounds of the three-round eliminations. But the hosts could expect a different Dragons this time with the return of Brian Williams, whose return helped the Malaysians win its last two games. Williams and frontcourt buddy Tiras Wade fell two assists short f the league's first ever triple-double with the latter dropping 27 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Williams tallied 20-14-8. Filipino import and former Adamson Falcon Patrick Cabahug will also be a marked man for the Glenn Capacio-coached Patriots. The Patriots, with a 14-4 record for second place, are already assured of a semifinals berth but Capacio wants to enter the Final Four round in a positive mood. "That's why we need to win our last three games to have that winning mood." "We have to play really smart on both ends to have that kind of attitude in the playoffs," added Capacio. Capacio added they will be ready for the Malaysian's challenge after the Dragons improved big time since the return of Williams. "The boys did well the last time, so we will be ready for the challenge that they can give." Reinforcements Anthony Johsnon and Nakiea Miller are expected to once again carry the scoring load for the Patriots with 5-foot-7 guard Al Vergara providing the stability on their offensive plays. Vergara starred for the Patriots in their win against the Saigon side scattering 11 points, six assists and four steals. He drained a three-pointer that cooled down the Heat’s comeback bid. — JVP, GMA News