Rob Wainwright of the RP Patriots is fouled by Brunei’s American import Michael Pilgrim as he drives to the basket during their game in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. (Photo by BOB DUNGO JR.)

Game on January 6 (Singapore Indoor Stadium)
8 p.m. — Singapore Slingers vs RP Patriots

The Philippine Patriots have plenty of reasons to be thankful this Christmas season.

One of those came Monday night when the Patriots scored a vengeful 70-56 win over the Brunei Barracudas in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

A week after suffering a humiliating 95-70 loss at the hands of the Barracudas in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Patriots, co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO and president Mikee Romero and businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco, came through with a dizzying first-half assault en route to an easy victory.

With the win, the Patriots secured their ninth victory in 11 games to remain on top as the six-nation league takes a two-week break.

“Our patience paid off this time. So it’s going to be a good Christmas for all of us,” said coach Louie Alas. “It’s a sweet revenge.”

Alas also attributed their win to their rock-solid defense, especially in the first half.

"We played very good defense," Alas. "I told the team that if we compete with Brunei in a shootout, we're bound to lose. And it's good that we gave up only 22 points in the first half."

A win over the Singapore Slingers on Jan. 6 will cement the Patriots’ bid for the No. 1 slot in the Final Four.

Jason Dixon, the 6-foot-10 American import, registered his seventh straight double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while Rob Wainwright sizzled from afar to finish with 16 points, 10 of which came in the first half.

Brandon Powell, the 6-foot-5 American reinforcement who scored 20 points in the win over the KL Dragons last Saturday, scored in double figures for the second straight game with 10 points along with four rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Their biggest lead came at 23 points on a basket by bruising big man Jerwin Gaco for a commanding 39-16 lead with 3:44 remaining in the second period.

The scores:
PHILIPPINES 70 — Dixon 17, Wainwright 16, Powell 10, Gaco 8, Baguion 5, Espiritu 5, Mirza 4, Baclao 2, Alcaraz 2, Ybañez 1, Daa 0, Sta. Maria 0.
BRUNEI 56 — Larry 22, Adriano 13, Pilgrim 8, Camaso 6, Avenido 5, Sim 2, Lim 0.
Quarters: 18-9, 42-22, 53-41, 70-56.