Debuting Freeman propels Patriots

MANILA, Philippines - New American import Gabe Freeman dished out a double-double performance in his debut with the Philippine team, powering the Patriots to a 91-87 victory over the Thailand Tigers, 91-87, in the first ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) First Conference at the Nimibutr National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand last Sunday.

The 6-foot-6 Freeman, a former PBA Best Import winner who replaced the ineffective Brandon Powell, buried two triples in the last two minutes and finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds as the Patriots bounced back from back-to-back setbacks on the road with a scrambling victory.

“In a scale of 10, my performance today was only 8. Give me one more week to shape up and practice with the team and you’ll see the difference,” said Freeman, who played for San Miguel Beer in last year’s import-laced tournament, which the Beermen won.

“He’s the man for us, he’s really deadly,” said RP Patriots coach Louie Alas. “Given the situation, he still delivered huge numbers for us. What more in our coming game.”

It was the 10th win for the Patriots in 14 games, assuring themselves of a top two finish no matter what happens in their last assignment against the Brunei Barracudas on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Patriots’ bid for the No. 1 spot in the Final Four also got a big boost when the Kuala Lumpur Dragons stunned the second running Singapore Slingers, 78-71, in Kuala Lumpur. The Slingers fell to 8-5.