Player’s Profiles

JP Alcaraz

John Paul Alcaraz is one reliable point guard, and an original member from last season’s championship campaign. Once again, tapped by his mentor, coach Louie Alas, to don the Patriots jersey for the second season.

He previously played under Alas during his collegiate years with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA). Together, they won the championship in 2005 against the Philippine Christian University Dolphins, the school’s last title.

Also, he had stints with the Toyota Balintawak Road Kings in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), and in the Liga Pilipinas.

Egay Billones

Ernesto Billiones is a crafty point guard at 5′ 8″, famous by his undying moniker, “The Richest Man in the PBA”. Translating his last name in English means “billions”. Now, he’s bringing up his wealth in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

He’s good in penetrating the inside lane and 3-point shooting. Also, he’s considered as one of the fastest players around.

He was dropped by the Ginebra Kings after picking him up 6th overall in the 2000 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft, out of Las Pinas College. With no team in the PBA, Billiones decided to play in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) for the Blu Detergent. And in 2002, the FedEx/Air21 Express signed him as a rookie free agent in 2002 and played until 2006. Signed by the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals in 2007, and then return to Air21 Express in 2008.

With his athletic skills, he does an acrobatic flip-flop stunt after a first free-throw made and a during dead ball, in a given occasion, that made the crowd surprise.

Junjun Cabatu

Santiago Cabatu, Jr., who plays in the forward and center position, known by many because of his father, Santiago “Sonny” Cabatu, Sr., who is a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player and the very 1st overall pick of the league in 1985, way back the drafting system was implemented.

He spent his collegiate varsity years with the De La Salle University Green Archers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

He played in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters/Welcoat Paintmasters. He is one of the three players carried over directly to the PBA by the Asian Coatings, when they bought Pilipinas Shell’s franchise. The team then known as the Welcoat Dragons. Later, he played with the Ginebra Kings.

Alex Crisano

Alex Vincent Crisano is a Filipino-American cager, playing forward and center.

He previously played in the defunct-Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) in the late 90′s, with the Nueva Ecija Patriots, alongside collegiate standout, Willie Miller. Then traded to the Pangasinan Waves.

Signed as a free agent in 2000 by the Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He had different stops with the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals and the Barako Bull Energy Boosters, his last PBA stint.

Also, he played in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) with the RP Team, compose of collegiate and amateur selection that will compete in the SEABA Champions Cup, but later was cut.

Called, the “Bomb” for his ferocious dunking, in a given occasion, and intensive rebounding. Very known by fans on his on-court antics that made the crowd rowdy.

Noted as a rap artist outside basketball.

ORLY DAROYA

Orlando Daroya, a former collegiate varsity star of the Arellano University Flaming Arrows (now Chiefs), playing forward at 6′ 2″. His name became well-known when his school participated in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL).

He can play big and finish a play. He’s very athletic, good on defense, and has great ball handling skills.

He was drafted 18th overall pick in the 2009 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft by the Ginebra Kings, then shipped to the Burger King Whoopers/Air21 Express. Unfortunately, he was never saw in action on the floor.

Benedict Fernandez

Benedict Fernandez, a former King Tamaraw of the Far Eastern University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), known for his mid- and long-range shooting.

He was drafted by the Barako Bull Energy Boosters as the 12th overall pick in the 2009 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft, and played for a year.

Also, he played in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) with the Mikee Romero-owned team, Harbour Centre Batang Pier/Oracle Titans.

Dubbed as, “Wolverine” of X-Men/Marvel Comics, due to his hair looks.

Kelvin Gregorio

Kelvin West Gregorio, known for his versatility and can play defense against smaller and even bigger opponent at 6′ 4″. He also possesses a great touch from the perimeter and beyond the arc, and can finish the break very well.

He was part of the 70th Season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Senior Men’s Basketball Mythical 5 Selection, and one of the responsible players who led the University of the East Red Warriors to a 14-0 sweep before losing the UAAP crown against De La Salle University Green Archers in the Finals, 2 games.

He was drafted 10th overall pick by the disbanded-Sta. Lucia Realtors in the 2008 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft.

Chito Jaime

Chito Jaime is one role player in the front court position, combines strength and power with athleticism, and a nose for the ball. He has a smooth stroke from long range. A good fast-break finisher and defender.

He was drafted 14th overall pick by the disbanded-Sta. Lucia Realtors in 2007 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft.

Also, he had a Philippine Basketball League (PBL) stint with the Toyota Balintawak Road Kings/Toyota Otis Sparks.

During his college tenure with the AMA Computer University Titans in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU), he averaged a near 20-10 in points and rebounds, respectively.

Donald Little

Donald Little, an American center at 6′ 11″ and one of the non-ASEAN reinforcements. A decent rebounder and shot-blocker at his size, as oppose to his name.

A former University of Cincinnati Bearcat in the US NCAA.

As a journeyman in different international leagues, he suited up for the Dynamo Moscow in Russia, the JDA Dijon in France, the Galatasaray in Turkey, the Sonic Boom KT and the Anyang KT&G Kites in Korea, and the Lechugueros de Leon in Mexico.

Now, he brings those experience with the Philippine Patriots, gunning for its second title.

Pari Llagas

Narciso Llagas is a fresh draftee at 9th overall pick by the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados in the 2010 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft. The unsigned rookie Llagas was lured by the Mikee Romero-owned team, and swapped former Patriot Jerwin Gaco to the Llamados, an agreement of both managements.

He played with the Lucio Tan Group-owned teams, the likes of the University of the East Red Warriors in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), and the Cobra Energy Drink Iron Men/Bacchus Energy Drink Raiders in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), as big man.

Allein Maliksi

Allein Maliksi, formerly of the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), was the runaway winner in the 2009 Bantay Bata UAAP/NCAA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest. He recently played in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) with the Add-Mix Transformers.

Allan Salangsang

Joseph Allan Salangsang, known for his set shots in the perimeter and beyond the arc, and hustle rebounding.

He previously played in the defunct-Metropolitan Basketball Association with the Iloilo Megavoltz in 2000.

He was drafted 27th overall pick by disbanded-Tanduay Rhummasters in the 2001 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft, out of Collegio de San Juan de Letran.

He had different stops with the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals in 2004, the Ginebra Kings in 2006, afterwards, the Coca-Cola Tigers for a year, then acquired by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters/Welcoat Dragons in 2007 from free agency.

Harold Sta. Cruz

Harold Sta. Cruz, who plays forward, out of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Not a household name, but he had seen action in some minors leagues around the country: the United Regional Basketball League (URBL) with the Ilocos Sur Snipers, and the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA), before the Liga Pilipinas merger, with the Cebu Landmasters – Mandaue.

Now, he will proved his strut in the Southeast Asian region level of basketball.

Erwin Sta. Maria

Erwin Sta. Maria, one of the three holdovers from last season’s ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) campaign that won the inaugural championship, known for his 3-point shooting.

Before his Patriots stint, he spent playing in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) with the Toyota Balintawak Road Kings/Toyota Otis Sparks. Prior to his PBL stint, he also played in the National Basketball Conference (NBC), a league before the Liga Pilipinas merger.

The former Mapua Institute of Technology King Cardinal led his team in many Final Four appearances in the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA), but always failed to reach the Finals.

Jokingly nicknamed, “Jody” as to Jody Sta. Maria, by his coach and teammates during his Mapua days.

Warren Ybañez

Warren Ybañez, manning the ball chores, named Finals MVP of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), the 1st ever in league history. He became a big contributing factor among locals during the Finals against Satria Muda BritAma, last season.

He was the 27th overall pick by the Coca-Cola Tigers in the 2004 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft, out of Philippine School of Business Administration, and also played with the Barako Bull Energy Boosters.

During the ABL off-season, he played in the Liga Pilipinas.

Once again, the Patriots calls the shot for his services, to bring another ring.

RASHEIM WRIGHT

Rasheim Wright is a solid offensive threat and hefty inside operator at 6’ 4” and 200 lbs., from Philadelphia and a naturalized Jordanian.

He attended at the University of District of Columbia, a US NCAA Division II school.

He worked out in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Summer League, and in the Developmental League (NBADL) to take a shot on a roster spot of any NBA teams. He went overseas to play in different leagues in the Adriatic region, Mexico, Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan.

A veteran of many FIBA tournaments, earning top honors, leading the Jordanian National Team in the ranks. He became a major headache for the Philippine National Team, resulting to lose its bid on a much bigger competition.

Now, he switched on the other side. This time, in a Philippine-based ball club, the Philippine Patriots. He replaces the injured Anthony Johnson, and become the other non-ASEAN reinforcement. He agreed to play with the Patriots, making this a stepping stone to be tap as an import of any teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on its 2nd Conference.

Special Thanks to: Anthony Gabriel