MANILA---The AirAsia Philippine Patriots go for the next best thing after blowing the chance to reclaim the top spot.

Erratic the past weeks, the Patriots try to secure the No. 2 berth against the Westports Kuala Lumpur Dragons in the AirAsia Asean Basketball League today.

Game time is at 6 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

“We lost the opportunity to get the No. 1 spot but the important thing now is to get the homecourt advantage in the semis,” said Patriots coach Louie Alas.

The top two teams at the end of the eliminations will clinch the homecourt advantage in the best-of-three semifinals.

In the championship round, the higher seeded team will also earn the same incentive.

The Chang Thailand Slammers put a lock on the top spot with a 10-3 record after outlasting the Patriots in double overtime, 83-76, last week in Bangkok.

The loss, the Patriots’ fourth in their last six outings, prompted team owner Mikee Romero to question the defending champions’ poise and character.

Alas said Romero, who co-owns the team with Tonyboy Cojuangco, met with the coaching staff and challenged the players to do better.

The Patriots own an 8-5 card, just a game ahead of the Dragons’ 7-6 slate.

A win is similarly important for the Dragons, who still have a shot at stealing the No. 2 spot from the Patriots.

Although American imports Gabe Freeman and Steve Thomas are likely to post their usual numbers, Alas wants to draw more firepower from the local players.

“I’m still very optimistic,” noted Alas.

Among the locals, veteran guard Egay Billones has been the most consistent, drilling a game-high 23 points in his last game against the Slammers.

The Patriots and the Dragons, boosted by Filipino import Patrick Cabahug, split their first two meetings.

Cabahug starred in their initial encounter to tow the Dragons to a 96-81 triumph over the Patriots.

The Patriots struggled anew in their next match, but rose from an 18-point halftime deficit for a 73-71 escape.

Aside from Cabahug, the Dragons are also relying heavily on imports Justin Leigh and Nakiea Miller, who averages 20.9 points and a league-best 16.4 rebounds.

The Dragons are coming off a 93-90 homecourt loss against the Singapore Slingers last Wedensday.

In Singapore, the Slingers led by Filipino import Leo Avenido try to strenghten their hold of the fourth spot versus the visiting Brunei Barracudas at 4 p.m. today at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Jasmine Payo, Phil. Daily Inquirer