THE Philippine Patriots grabbed its second win in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) defeating visiting team Thailand Tigers.

The Pinoy team easily overpowered the Tigers with a 13-point lead, 74-61, Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

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The Patriots grabbed the early lead in the opening quarter with the new recruits, Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuna from UE and Nonoy Baclao from Ateneo de Manila University, chipping in points for the squad.

Espiritu, Acuna and Bacolod's pride Baclao are all coming in from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Finals where Ateneo bagged the championship title.

Brandon Powell and team captain Rob Wainwright also hooked in two- and three-point buckets in Q1 to take the four-point advantage, 18-14, for the Pinoy squad.

The 6-foot-7 Wainwright made a pair of triples early in the second quarter to spike the lead up to 10 while Ricky Ricafuente replied with a shot from the outside for the Thailand team.

First half wrapped up at 42-22 with Jerwin Gaco's triple followed by a two-pointer to show his power on the offense side.

The Tigers pushed their offense as Filipino recruits Ricafuente and Axel Doruelo trimmed the Patriots' lead by five points in the third quarter. But Froilan Baguion was quick to answer back for the Patriots with a triple.

The RP Patriots still conquered the last quarter not giving any space for the Tigers to shoot with the notable blocks from Baclao.

Gaco emerged as the player of the day with 15 points under his belt.

The Patriots recently suffered a game loss last October 18 in Singapore when the Slingers beat them 74-69. The team now holds a 2 wins-1 loss record.(Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)