RP Patriots to Face Familiar Opponents

MANILA, Philippines — A reigning Best Import awardee and a number of Filipino cagers will play against the Philippine Patriots when the AirAsia Asean Basketball League kicks off next month.

Former Patriots import Jason Dixon plus ex-pros such as Leo Avenido, Al Vergara, Rudy Lingganay, Bryan Faundo, Kevin White, and Chester Tolomia are among the players signed up recently by various ABL squads.

Dixon has reportedly been signed up by the Thailand Cobras while Avenido has joined Vergara with the Singapore Slingers.

Lingganay makes his return with the KL Dragons and the trio of Faundo, White and Tolomia suiting up for the Brunei Barracudas.

Avenido, who played last season with the Barracudas, had been playing steadily for the Slingers during the wins over PBA teams like Air21, Rain or Shine and Meralco in tune-up games and will team up with Vergara, who returns for a second tour of duty after playing for Barako Bull in the pros.

The presence of Lingganay, who last saw action for Cobra Energy Drink in the Tournament of the Philippines, will definitely boosts Malaysia’s title bid after making it to the semis last year.

Dixon averaged 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Patriots last season, highlighted by a 16 double-doubles in the last 17 games.

Faundo and White recently played with Barako and Ginebra in the PBA, respectively, while Tolomia was a former ex-pro who built a reputation as one of the best players in the amateur ranks.

The ABL season begins in Bangkok on Oct. 2 with the Cobras taking on the Dragons in the opener. The Patriots start their title-retention bid the following day at the Ynares Sports Arena against the Barracudas.

Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin