Game on Saturday (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
4 p.m. — RP Patriots vs. Brunei Barracudas

Prior to the start of the game, officials of the game of the Thailand Tigers promised to give the Philippine Patriots a hell of  game.

They did, but only for the first quarter.

With top gunner Rob Wainwright knocking down back-to-back triples at the start of the second quarter and Ateneo's Nonoy Baclao coming through with brilliant defensive plays off 6-foot-10 Ikenna Nwanko, the Patriots romped to an easy 74-61 win over the Thailand Tigers in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Patriots just could not seem to do anything wrong in the second quarter as they outscored the Tigers, 24-4, en route to a commanding 42-22 lead at halftime that paved the way for their second win in three starts in the six-nation tournament.

And they did that with an almost all-Filipino crew as coach Louie Alas — to the surprise of the crowd — fielded imports Jason Dixon and Brandon Powell sparingly in the first 20 minutes of play.

"We started flat but we managed to recover late in the first quarter and that proved to be the key. Or defense also clicked just at the right moment and Baclao played a big role. He's simply great," said Alas.

The win enabled the Patriots  co-owned by Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero and Tony Boy Cojuangco —  to redeem themselves from a stinging 74-69 loss to the SIngapore Slingers last Sunday in Singapore.

"The presence of our new recruits has changed our game. We now have a system," said Romero.

In the first half alone, Baclao had already six points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. He finished with seven points.

Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuña of University of the East also did well in their debut, providing hustle and tenacity in the defensive end.

Gaco led all Patriot scorers with 15 points, while Espiritu and Wainwright combined for 16 points.

"They're still adjusting but what they did today were already commendable," added Alas.

Meantime, the SIngapore Slingers roared to their third straight win by beating the Brunei Barracudas for the second time, 82-80, Saturday at the Brunei Indoon Stadium.

Former RP import Michael LeBlanc sizzled with 32 points while Filipino import Al Vergara added 15 markers for the Slingers.

Axel Doruelo, one of two Filipino imports for Thailand, paced the Tigers with 15 markers.

The scores:

RP PATRIOTS 74 — Gaco 15, Dixon 9, Wainwright 9, Powell 9, Espiritu 8, Baguion 8, Baclao 7, Daa 5, Ybañez 4, Acuña 2, Sta. Maria 0, Mirza 0.

THAILAND TIGERS — Doruelo 15, Briggs 15, Nwanko 12, Ricafuente 8, Piroon 7, Lertmalaiporn 2,  Kruatiwa 2, Ruankum 0, Kaedum 0.

Quarters: 18-14, 42-22, 60-50, 74-61.