Patriots seek ABL semis berth

MANILA, Philippines - With the return of the high-flying Gabe Freeman, the AirAsia-Philippine Patriots hope to book the second semis berth when they clash with the Singapore Slingers today in the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Season 2 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The versatile former San Miguel Beer import arrived last Monday and vowed to steer the Phl Patriots to the championship for the second straight year when they collide with the Slingers at 4 p.m. (It will be aired live on ESPN.)

With a 7-4 record, the Phl Patriots can join surprise leaders – the Chang Thailand Slammers (8-3) – to the semis if they beat the Slingers for the third straight time.

The Phl Patriots, however, went through the wringer before dispatching the Slingers in their first two meetings, winning 62-59 last Oct. 9 and 87-85 a month ago.

Believing he can provide fresh energy to the team co-owned by Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco, Freeman expects the Phl Patriots to have a trouble-free flight back to Promised Land.

“I feel like we can win another championship,” said Freeman, who is coming off a brief stint with the Townsville Crocodiles in the Australia National Basketball League.

Freeman also noted that this year’s squad is more explosive than the team last year, saying: “I think we got little more talent than what we have last season and we got players hungry to win so I’m happy to be back.”

Aside from energy, Freeman hopes he can inspire his teammates with his feistiness.

“If we do what we can do then I think we can win another championship,” he added.

Even Romero and team manager Erick Arejola are confident that with the return of the 6-foot-5 Freeman, the Phl Patriots will be motivated to play much harder the rest of the way.

“With the return of Freeman and the support of our sponsor, AirAsia, we hope we can keep our crown,” said Romero, whose Harbour Centre team won a record seven straight championships in the PBL.

In seven games with the Patriots last season, Freeman, who replaced Hashiem Wright, averaged 21.7 points and 15.0 rebounds per game highlighted by a 39-point explosion in Game 1 of the finals against Satria Muda.

Freeman is expected to complement with Steve Thomas who debuted with 10 points and 15 boards in their 73-71 win over the Kuala Lumpur Dragons last week.

Also expected to deliver for the Patriots are Junjun Cabatu, Egay Billones, Chito Jaime, Warren Ybanes and Allan Salangsang.