Patriots out to end skid vs Tigers

MANILA, Philippines - With the arrival of former PBA import Gabe Freeman, the Philippine Patriots hope to end a two-game skid when they tangle with the Thailand Tigers today as the race for the top spot enters its crucial stage in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) at the Nimibutr National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 6-foot-6 Freeman hardly had a rest after arriving in Manila Friday night as the Patriots left for Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur yesterday in time for their 4 p.m. tussle with the Tigers.

Though Freeman is not expected to be in his sharp form, coach Louie Alas and team manager Erick Arejola believe the former San Miguel Beer import can play quality minutes for the Patriots.

“He’s still young, so I believe he can be of help to the team despite his jetlag,” said Arejola, who celebrated his 29th birthday last Friday. “We really need his help.”

“I think with two practices, madali siyang mag-jejel with the team,” Alas said. “But what I want to see is my locals to step up.”

Freeman, who led San Miguel to its 18th championship last season, will replace Brandon Powell.

In 24 games he played in last year’s PBA Fiesta Conference, Freeman averaged 23 points and 15.5 rebounds and had 22 double-double performances.

Freeman will be backstopped by another import in 6-foot-9 Jason Dixon, who has been in top form by posting a double-double performance eight times in the team’s last 10 games.

Nonoy Baclao and Elmer Espiritu must assert their might inside the paint in order to help Freeman and Dixon.

The Patriots lost the luster of their seven-game winning streak the longest so far in the league after absorbing back-to-back setbacks to the Singapore Slingers (67-59) and the Kuala Lumpur Dragons (77-59). in a span of four days last week.