San Miguel Beermen got its first win in its debut in international play Thursday while the AirAsia Philippine Patriots will begin their campaign on Friday in the “To Be Number 1 Basketball Challenge” – a preseason tournament of the ASEAN Basketball League held at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
The Beermen defeated the Indonesia Warriors, 76-70, in the tournament opener with Chris Banchero leading the way with 21 points. Imports Richard Jeter added 16 points while Dalron Johnson tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Warriors led, 43-37, at the half, according to the team’s Twitter account, but the Beermen, coached by seven-time best import Bobby Parks, were able to mount a rally in the third period to take the win.
The Patriots, meanwhile, will go up against expansion team Saigon Heat Friday night in the tournament, which serves as a fund-raiser activity for the flood victims in Bangkok.
The inaugural champions of the league will try to test their mettle against Saigon, who is fielding a Fil-American in John Smith.
A former PBA D-League cager, Smith played for the Junior Powerade Tigers in the Foundation Cup early this year.
Also with the Heat is Cambodian-American Sopheoun Oeun, who had 24 points when the Cambodians faced Sinag Pilipinas in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta.
The Patriots are led by former SMART-Gilas cager Aldrech Ramos and imports Nakiea Miller and Anthony Johnson, along with Al Vergara, Reed Juntilla, Jonathan Fernandez, Rob Wainright, Marcy Arellano, Warren Ybanez, Erick Rodriguez, Ardy Larong, Eder Saldua, Eddie Laure and Angel Raymundo.
Source: Reuben Terrado, InterAKTV
