A member of 2006 US NCAA champion and a veteran PBA import will reinforce the Philippine Patriots when they open their campaign against Indonesia in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Invitational tournament on Saturday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Brandon Powell, who along with Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah and Utah Jazz’s Corey Brewer helped the Florida Gators win the 2006-07 NCAA championship, is likely to be the Patriots’ main man with his athleticism and deadly shooting from afar.

The 6-foot-5 Powell, according to coach Louie Alas, is not only tough defender but also a reliable scorer with his decent outside shooting.

“He’s more of a hustle player who plays with a lot of passion and heart. He will be a big help to our team,” said Alas.

The other import of the Patriots – co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO Dr. Mikee Romero and ABC-5 boss Tony Boy Cojuangco – is 6-foot-10 Jason Dixon.

Dixon is no stranger to the Filipinos’ brand of play being the import of Coca-Cola Tigers in the PBA last year.

“He used to play with PBA players, so it’s easy for him to adjust with the system of coach Louie,” said Romero. “But I still believe that our locals will make the difference in our campaign in the ABL.”

A product of Liberty College in the US NCAA, Dixon played most of his professional career abroad. He spent the last couple of years in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Guandong Southern Tigers where he played along side New Jersey Nets’ star Yi Jian Liam and Smuch Parker.

Dixon, who also played in Turkey, Cyprus and in Europe, averaged 15.6 points and 9.9 rebounds in his last stint in the CBA. He also saw action in the USBL where he played for New Jersey Shorecats and Portland Wave.

Romero and Cojuangco said the team can also count on UAAP hotshot Khazim Mirza, Rob Wainwright, Froilan Baguion, Ricky Ricafuente, Erwin Sta. Maria, Nat Cruz, Dino Daa, former La Salle star Jerwin Gaco, Mark Andaya, Hafer Mondragon, Neil Raneses, and Christian Coronel.

Though he’s already 35 years old, Dixon still oozes with confidence and authority.

“He’s not selfish, he shares his knowledge to his teammates and he’s easy to deal with,” said team manager Erick Arejola. “But on the court, he’s a lion, a lion king.”