There is something to cheer about and be proud of in Philippine basketball after all. Nope, it’s not yet the Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas nor the disappointing Powerade Team Pilipinas. The Philippine Patriots, co-owned by Dr. Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco, subdued the stubborn Indonesian finalist Satria-Muda Britama, 75-67, yesterday before an over flowing crowd at the Britama Stadium in Jakarta.
The win gave the Patriots a 3-0 sweep in the best-of-five championship series and thus, clinched the first-ever Asean Basketball League (ABL) diadem. Coach Louie Alas’ charges earlier won the first two games at home.
The Patriots were so dominant throughout the season. First, for topping the regular season at 11-4 win-loss card, then sweeping all its home games in the regular season and post-season play and lastly, staying unbeaten the whole of the playoffs.
SMB gave the Patriots a tough stand before losing out game three and conceding the title to the Philippine franchise, which were led by reigning PBA Fiesta Confab Best Import Gabe Freeman and the hardworking Jason Dixon, also an ex-PBA reinforcement.
"We were very complacent in the first half. Luckily, we were able to talk to ourselves at halftime that we must keep our toughness on the defensive end and I guest that was the story of the game," said Alas.
This early, Romero is already looking forward to a back-to-back title finish come the next ABL campaign. There are already plans of further strengthening the Patriots in anticipation of massive build-ups to be undertaken by the five other ABL squads in the off-season.
Thank you very much Philippine Patriots for making this basketball-crazy nation proud and happy once again. It’s been a longtime and how sweet it is.
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