Basketball
Indonesia Warriors oust Patriots from ABL semis
The AirAsia Philippine Patriots were booted out of the ASEAN Basketball League title contention after being outclassed by the Indonesia Warriors, 72-51, in Game Two of the semifinals Sunday at the Mahaka Square in Jakarta.
The Patriots could not find their mark offensively throughout the game as they were outplayed by the Warriors as early as the second period to put a disappointing end to their season.
The Patriots couldn’t find an answer for the Warriors, including import Steve Thomas who had 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead third-seed Indonesia to a stunning sweep of the series over the Filipino side.
Thomas, along with fellow import Evan Brock, Mario Wuysang and Filipino-American Stanley Pringle, spearheaded Indonesia’s offensive attack as they combined to tie the total scoring output of the Patriots.
Nakiea Miller only scored 12 points, while Anthony Johnson came up with 11 for the Patriots, who will miss the ABL finals for the first time in league history.
The Patriots, who missed Ardy Larong in the game due to a two-game suspension, shot a miserable one-for-17 from the three-point area in the first half as they trailed, 19-32, after scoring only six points in the second period.
The Warriors will face the winner of the semifinal series between the San Miguel Beermen and the Westports Malaysia Dragons, which is now tied at 1-1. Game 3 of their series is set on June 9.
