Though he will not be joining the team due to flu-like symptoms, coach Louie Alas is hoping for a much better showing from his team after bowing to the Chang Thailand Slammers, 69-68, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. That defeat ended an impressive 14-game home winning streak since last year.

"We made a lot of miscues down the stretch, especially on defense," said Alas, whose team is now tied with the Slammers for top spot with identical 6-2 slates "Hopefully, we could regain the same level of play when we used to win games with just one import."

Assistants Ryan Dy, Bogs Adornado and Christian Coronel has been tasked to do the coaching chores in his absence.

Gametime is set at 5 p.m. as the Patriots, co-owned by Harbour Centre boss Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco, and the Dragons meet for the first time since their semifinal showdown last season.

The Patriots will be led by imports Donald Little, who had 18 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks but turned the ball over 10 times, and Rashiem Wright along with locals Egay Billones, Chito Jaime, Allan Salangsang and Ybanez.

Wright, who injured his hamstring in his debut two weeks ago in Singapore, is looking to recover from a seven-point output in which he shot just 2-of-10 from the field the last time out.

Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin