Patriots Face Tough Campaign — Romero

MANILA, Philippines — A day before he left for Singapore to watch the exciting Formula One night race, Philippine Patriots co-owner Mikee Romero directed his trusted lieutenant, Erick Arejola, to prepare the team harder than anyone else as the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) is about to take off for its second season.

“We can’t be too sure this time, everybody’s motto is to stop the RP Patriots from winning a second championship and that’s the reason why I challenged our team manager to prepare the team as hard as he can,” said Romero, who co-owns the team with businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco.

The team has a prolific scorer in import Anthony Johnson and a plethora of valuable role players led by JP Alcaraz, Warren Ybañez and Erwin Sta. Maria, but Romero is concerned about the team’s chemistry.

“Since our players came from various teams, it’s not easy to have an instant chemistry in the team and that’s what we are working right now,” added Romero, who owns 10 titles including a record seven straight in the PBL.

Johnson, for one, just arrived only last Wednesday. But good thing, the former PBA import is trying very hard to fit to the system of coach Louie Alas.

Unlike last year when they dominated their rivals en route to winning the championship via a sweep, both Romero and Alas expect an intense action every game.

“Our five other rivals have also beefed up their respective rosters, so beating them is not going to be a walk in the park this time,” said Alas.

“That’s why we are preparing hard.”

Though they don’t have big names in the team unlike last year when collegiate stars Nonoy Baclao, Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuna suited up for them, Romero believes they easily motivate the current members of the team.

“They want to prove something, they want to state that they are also one of the best in their position,” said Romero.

Expected to provide muscle for the team are import Donald Little, Alex Crisano, Allan Salangsang, Orly Daroya, Harold Sta. Maria and Chito Jaime. The other newcomers for the team are former La Salle star Junjun Cabatu, Allen Maliksi, Kelvin Gregorio and former pro Egay Billiones.

The Patriots, reinforced by Jason Dixon and San Miguel import Gabe Freeman, won the inaugural staging of the event by sweeping past Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma in a best-of-five affair. Freeman won’t be around this time while the 6-foot-10 Dixon will be playing for Thailand Cobras