THE Philippine Patriots expressed confidence that it would win the first ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) crown when they meet Indonesia’s Satria Muta BritAma in the best-of-five finals starting on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“Nobody remembers the runner-up. That’s why we want to become the champions of the first ABL tournament,” said Patriots head coach Louie Alas during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along UN Avenue.

Even imports Jason Dixon and Gabe Freeman expressed optimism they can win over the Indonesians, whom they shut out, 3-0 in their head-to-head battle in the elimination round.

“It’s going to be a tough series. But definitely, we’re going to win,” chorused Dixon and Freeman.

The Patriots being the top team at the end of the eliminations enjoy hosting three of the five games of series.

“Of all the teams we’ve played, coach Louie says Indonesia is the better team. And I seem to agree,” said Dixon, a 6-foot-10 center who is close to a double-double average in the inaugural tournament among the Asean teams.

Dixon said the key to victory is how to stop the Indonesia imports, including Nakiea Miller.

“I have to prepare for him because I know he’s going to use his speed against me. But it’s no different that the other games. It’s always the same intensity. Indonesia is not a helter-skelter team and it’s very disciplined,” he said.

“I don’t want to disrespect the Indonesian team but personally, I think we’re going to win this series, three-to-one,” he said, who vowed to give the championship to the team co-owned by businessmen Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco.

Freeman, a Philippine Baketball Association best import awardee when he played for San Miguel Beer last year, was more daring with his projection even if he has yet to play a single game against the Indonesians, as he just came in as a replacement.

“I don’t want to lose any game. I didn’t come here to lose. So, I say we’ll sweep them. I don’t want to lose. I hate losing,” said Freemen, who said he loves basketball so much that, “I sleep, drink, eat and shower it.”

The opener of the series will be played at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig, while Game 2 is set at The Arena in San Juan.

Games 3 and Game 4 will be held in Indonesia, while the series goes back to Manila if a deciding game is necessary.
Frank Calapre