Patriots rip KL Dragons

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Jason Dixon stepped up in the third period as the Philippine Patriots beat the Kuala Lumpur Dragons, 77-43, at the start of their semis series in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) yesterday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

With the 6-foot-10 Dixon dominating the shaded lane, the Patriots opened the final half with a vicious 16-4 run to post a commanding 46-21 lead.

After being held to just four points in the first two quarters, Dixon scattered nine points in the third to post his 12th double-double in 14 games for the team co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO and president Mikee Romero and businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco. He also had 13 boards.

Former PBA Best Import winner Gabe Freeman was not as spectacular as he was in his two games but just the same, he finished in double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.

The Patriots can wrap up the best-of-three series with a win on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur. The team left for KL today aboard AirAsia.

The Dragons, who beat the Patriots at the close of their three-game series in the elims, 79-57, tried to mount a comeback but the Patriots refused to be intimidated with Val Acuna, Nonoy Baclao and Jerwin Gaco joining the fray.

Patriots coach Louie Alas paid tribute to their defense for the win, saying: “We did not shoot well in the first half but our defense kept us going.”

Playing a collegiate-type of defense, the Patriots succeeded in throwing the Kuala Lumpur shooters out of their comfort zones to win pulling away.

KL’s Filipino import Rudy Lingganay was held to just five points after averaging close to 13 points.

Both the Patriots and Dragons shot poorly in the first half but the former controlled the boards that saw them pile up baskets behind their transition plays.

The Patriots closed out the first half enjoying 30-16 lead - thanks to a floater by Gabe Freeman.

The high-leaping Freeman had 9 points in the first two quarters with Warren Ybanez chipping in 8 points.

The scores:

RP PATRIOTS 77 - Freeman 15, Dixon 13, Acuna 12, Ybanez 8, Gaco 7, Sta Maria 7, Baclao 6, Espiritu 4, Mirza 3, Alcaraz 2, Coronel 0, Wainwright 0.

KL DRAGONS 43 - Lingganay 10, Brown 7, Loh 7, Hugnatan 6, Kuete 4, Kow 4, Bandaying 3, Batumaai 1, Chee 1, Wee 0, Ng 0, Chai 0.

Quarterscores: 18-6; 30-16; 52-30; 77-43.

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