Game Saturday (San Juan gym)

4 p.m. – AirAsia PH Patriots vs Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines — The AirAsia Philippine Patriots battle the visiting Indonesia Warriors at the San Juan gym Saturday with the home team seeking a redemption of sorts in the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League.

Patriots coach Glenn Capacio expects another hard-fought tussle against the hefty Warriors at 4 p.m. in a match presented by PG Flex Linoleum Home Game.

“We need to have a good start, and to do that, we have to be aggressive and shoot the ball well,” said Capacio. “Against Indonesia, we have to be on guard because they know our brand of game and they are also capable of playing tough.”

The squad co-owned by Mikee Romero and Tony Boy Cojuangco absorbed its first loss of the season– a 78-70 defeat to fellow Filipino team San Miguel Beer at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City last week.

Capacio said imports Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson must also play extraordinary against the team’s former import in 6-foot-10 Steve Thomas, as well as Jonathan Smith, to have a better chance of winning.

Thomas, who played for the Patriots last season, had a monster game of 24 points and 21 rebounds while Smith registered 25 points and seven boards, but the Warriors lost to the unbeaten Westports Malaysia Dragons, 93-80, in Jakarta.

Capacio, likewise, stressed the locals must also produce as well.

“I hope that our local players step up as well, we can’t rely forever on our imports,” added Capacio, who will lean on Aldrech Ramos, Al Vergara, Jonathan Fernandez, Warren Ybañez, Reed Juntilla and Ardy Larong.

Indonesia also leans on ace guard Mario Wuysang and former Adamson cager Jerick Canada. The two are expected to display their quickness against the veteran Pats' backcourt.