ABL - New Kid on the Block

As mentioned previously, I will give a look at the ABL, the ASEAN Basketball League.

(Sorry, I'm not crazy enough to preview the Ateneo Basketball League which most Filipinos will probably be familiar with.)

The ABL is a five-nation (one team each) league for the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), a political/economical association of the region. Eventually, two (2) teams will be allocated to Indonesia and Philippines due to the population size and wide-reach of basketball in the countries. It will be played on a home-and-away format with four (4) teams making the playoffs. It's been sanctioned by FIBA through SEABA, so performances in these tournaments will help boost a country's rating. Any wrongdoings will also be noticed naturally.

It's supported by big companies in each of the home nations, and media partners are present from all countries to boost the league as well as make it a vehicle for other cultural communication.

Each team is allowed 5 imports - 2 international, 3 ASEAN - to play on their rosters. So, if you've been watching, here's a list of the Filipinos imported by other nations.

Rensy Bajar (Satria Muda BritAma) - formerly from Shell and Alaska
Al Vergara (Singapore Slingers) - formerly from Purefoods and Harbour Centre
Kiko Adriano (Brunei Barracudas) - formerly from Red Bull and San Miguel
Leo Avenido (Brunei Barracudas) - formerly from Coke and FEU
Don Camaso (Brunei Barracudas) - formerly from Red Bull and Purefoods

If Jason Castro's contract (Talk n Text/PCU) would have pushed through, we might have seen him go up against the Philippine Patriots.

But who are the Philippine Patriots? Here's the roster...

Coach: Louie Alas
Warren Ibanez
Christian Coronel
Rob Wainwright (c)
Mark Andaya
Khasim Mirza
Jerwin Gaco
Hafer Mondragon
Froilan Baguion
Erwin Sta. Maria
Brandon Powell (i)
Jason Dixon (i)

Their schedule for the next few weeks can be found below. Maybe we could all go out and show some Pinoy Pride!

vs Thailand (Oct. 25, 4:00 PM; Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)
vs Brunei (Oct. 31, 4:00 PM; Fil Oil Flying V Arena, San Juan)
vs Singapore (Nov. 7, 4:00 PM; Fil Oil Flying V Arena, San Juan)