The Patriots are set to face either the Chang Thailand Slammers or the Singapore Slingers in a best-of-three finals affair, and assistant coaches Bogs Adornado and Glenn Capacio don’t want their locals to play just back-up roles for their imports Gabe Freeman and Steve Thomas.

“The locals have been a big help because we know Gabe and Steve are consistent. So all we need is consistency from them (locals),” Capacio said during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave. branch.

The locals have actually dished out solid games in their two-game semifinal sweep of the Westports KL Dragons with Egay Billones, Benedict Fernandez and Chito Jaime playing the heroes roles.

“The last two games have showed a different Patriots team, which is good since we have been inconsistent throughout the ABL season,” said Adornado, who graced the forum in the absence of head coach Louie Alas, whose mother passed away on Monday.

Game 1 will be played either Feb. 11 or 13 with the venue to be known only after the semis clash between the Slammers, the No. 1 team in the elims with an 11-4 record, and the Slingers, the No. 4 squad at 7-8. The Patriots went 9-6 the regular season to gain the second spot in the playoffs.

The Thais lead the series 1-0 after an 81-76 overtime win on Jan. 24 in Bangkok and are trying to close out the series at presstime at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. If the Slingers win, a deciding third game will be held this Sunday in Bangkok.

Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin