The Philippine Patriots won the inaugural championship of the ASEAN Basketball League. Now the Patriots want to become the first back-to-back champions of the first-ever regional cage competition when it fires off on October 2 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Co-owned by Harbour Centre boss Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco, the Patriots are determined to form another championship team to ensure the country’s firm grip as the region’s premier basketball nation.

“For winning the inaugural championship, I’m sure our rivals will be preparing hard in order to stop us,” Romero said. “But we will also prepare since our legacy and pride is at stake in the tournament.”

Behind imports Jason Dixon and Gabe Freeman, along with ex-UAAP stars Nonoy Baclao, Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuna, Rob Wainwright and guard Warren Ybañez, the Patriots steamrolled to a three-game sweep of Indonesia's Satria Muda BritAma to rule the league's inaugural season last February.

Though most of the players from that champion squad won't be around, Arejola promise to field a competitive team in hopes of retaining the unofficial tag as the "Kings of Southeast Asian basketball."

“It’s our keen desire to keep the championship and we will be doing everything to form a highly competitive team,” said Cojuangco.

Even ABL founder Tony Fernandes seems to be convinced of the Filipino's invincibility.

“Now all teams are plotting against the Philippines, that's the goal. It's (Philippines) like the Manchester United in football,'' said Fernandes during Monday's press launch held in Jakarta. "But good luck trying, it's going to be tough.''

Team manager Erick Arejola and Harbour Centre COO for administration Edwin Jeremillo and Maan Hontiveros, represented Romero and Cojuangco, respectively, in that said press launch and they promised to finalize their roster by next month.

The Thailand Cobras, known last season as the Tigers, take on the KL Dragons in the season opener while other participating teams include BritAma, the Brunei Barracudas and the Singapore Slingers.