Patriots hire Gabe Freeman to beef up playoff chances
The Philippine Patriots have hired 6-foot-6 Gabe Freeman to beef up their roster with two games to go in the 15-game regular season of the ASEAN Basketball League.
The move comes on the heels of two consecutive defeats to the Singapore Slingers and the KL Dragons, leaving the 9-4 Patriots at risk of losing first place in the table standings and homecourt advantage in the playoffs. The Patriots are due to play the Thailand Tigers and Brunei Barracudas in their final two regular season games.
Freeman, who replaces Brandon Powell, played for the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) last season.
Freeman averaged 23 points and 15.5 rebounds in the PBA Fiesta Conference last season. He also had 22 double-doubles.
Powell scored only five points in his last game against the Dragons and averaged 11 points in his last four games.
According to ABL rules, teams are allowed to change their rosters anytime before the playoffs.
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great move. playing from one conjuangco’s team (SMB) to another cojuangco’s team (patriots).
I think this is a good move by the Patriots. Gabe Freeman is a very versatile forward when he was playing for the San Miguel Beermen (This is my team, and the real SMB!) Also, Freeman has a win-win situation here, and can be a resident import for San Miguel and the Patriots similar to Bobby Parks of Shell and Sean Chambers of Alaska in the late 80s and 90s.
Assuming that the schedule of the ABL doesn’t change, Freeman can play with the ABL while the All-Filipino conference or the Philippine Cup in the PBA is ongoing. When the ABL season is over, Freeman can rejoin the Beermen just in time or with a few weeks to spare for the Commissioner’s Cup — the second tournament or conference of the PBA.
Whoa…looks like the Patriots are bend on winning at all cost. Freeman may or may not adjust to the team on time, let’s see…
Replacing an import or a player at the last moment either on a interim basis or the import getting fired is a normal trend in Philippine Basketball. A couple of examples ironically involved the San Miguel Beermen are: NBA All-Star suited up for the San Miguel Beermen for one game as a temporary replacement for an injured import in a championship series. Chris Williams, also played for San Miguel Beer, subbed in for Gabe Freeman when he was hit by a flu for three games.
Based from observations of watching basketball over the years (NBA, PBA, NCAA, etc.) adding one person in the roster won’t change much with their chemistry. If they bring in more than three players at this point in time, now we’re talking something different.
Freeman also has a good track record of quickly adjusting to a new team. As evident of his stint last season in the PBA. Freeman started as a last minute replacement, and started playing his first game with San Miguel with barely 24 hours from his arrival to Manila. I could not remember if he was able to practice with the team upon his arrival in Manila. http://sanmiguelbeermen.com/gabe-freeman-stars-san-miguel-beermen-demolish-burger-king-titans/
Yet again, we’ll see.
lots of better import played for the PBA, why freeman? should you hire imports might as well hire better players, like rashard bell or noel of ginebra or ellis or chandler or someone who plays exceptional offense. dixon and other guys are defensive people already.
just watch out his tomahawk, whirlwind, 360, slamma jamma dunks and buckle up.
This is a good move by Patriots.Even in the last few games of Patriots i really wanted to change Brandon Powell because Patriots really need one scorer type of import.Powell is a defensive player not a scorer.Most of the players of Patriots are not a scorer,they are a good defensive players..Again this is not new in the Philippines because this happens everytime in the PBA..If your not a good import or dont have any impact with the team then they hire another better import..Gabe Freeman is a PBA caliber import…So its a good move..The only PBA caliber type of import in ABL is Regie Larry of BArracudas but he did not play in the PBA because he was injured.Alex Hartman of Britama,Jason Dixon of Patriots(He played for Coca-Cola Tigers-PBA before),and Jeffers of Slingers..Le Blanc did not pass in the PBA..
Now im sure Patriots are hard to beat this comes playoff with the addition of Freeman..Especially the locals of Patriots who really wants to win this playoff time…But will see what will happen.Again the ball is round..
i dont think this move will help the patriots team at all..the problem are in their local players. the other asian teams are reliant on their imports to win, while the philippines relies on their locals. Perhaps in their second stint (if there will be a second season of this league) they could be a formidable team.
i like the way al vergara is playing right now, the slingers is always fine as long as he is playing well. i was thinking that the slingers should have fired him due to his poor performances for the last defeats that they had and the patriots team would suit him up, wouldnt it be nice to see him play under his own flag
it will be satria muda and the slingers to the finals the way i see it now.
Patriots fired Powell out of disciplinary issues according to the ABL website. I think that is just an excuse for the Patriots to improve their roster.
powell has a history of drug use when he was 19 he was put probation and community service after that he tried his luck in the phils where his uncle is working, joined small leagues and also claims that he is 1/4 filipino so he can have a chance in the PBA but failed to produce documents.. he was given a chance to play in the abl since they dont have a 2nd import 2 weeks before the abl starts and since he is in town already they hired him temporarily but powell performed well and level of competition doesnt require a better import so they let him play..until he became a liability… i think he will go back in playing for liga pilipinas.
Coach Arsego, for sticking with his lineup despite some trying strecth in the season, should be Coach of the Year in the ABL.
Watch out for the tomahwak,360 degree dunks of this new import?……We’ve been saying about and waiting for Espiritu to do those highlight plays….not much yet.
It might not be the import that needs replacement..might be the local players, or the coaching staff?
Leblanc (and other ABL imports) did not pass in the PBA?
does that actually mean anything?
It depends on the situation, team chemistry, contract disputes…
Vincent Askew did not pass but went on to be a regular for the Seattle Supersonics.
Kevin Gamble did not hav a stellar stay in the PBA…went on to bcome a starter for the Boston Celtics…
These 2 had better NBA career than almost all best import awardees in the PBA.
Where are those game highlights Espiritu?? We miss you!!!
Go Mart!! I agree about Coach Arsego who is a fantastic caring Coach who believes in his Team whereas the Patriots have a wishy washy Mean Coach! (I have more words I would like to use at this point!) He is one scary Coach & the Patriot team beelines for the Refs?!!! What is that about?? “Intimadation” should be the Patriots Team Name because their is NOTHING Patriotic about them! The Patriots have many a chemistry issue most likely due to the Coaches intimadation and I hope this is the move of adding Freeman (good luck Gabe, I hope u don’t lower your standards to the level they want u too!), that takes the Patriots all the way down to their Streetball Basketball nasty playing (yes that is an Insult Patriots!), place where they belong, which is being kicked out of the ABL for the nasty stunts they have pulled throughout the season!! The Patriots should be paying some hefty fines for the crap they have pulled…. NO! I never forget when my Slingers or any Team or Player is in Danger, being treated badly by the Team Host or unethical moves, elbows, chops, plays, by any player at any game… no excuses… plain facts!
@deana, before you sound like an angry mom after her kid got bullied at school consider that basketball is a physical game now if you are pointing your fingers particularly on patriots then give me a game where patriots have more flagrant foul than the opponent,even in the last game againts dragons 3 players from kl got ejected while theres only 1 player from patriots..and who can forget the flagrant foul of smb againts pariots that cost them the game.. now ive seen worst thing happen in the nba and the euroleague and if kj and mlb cant handle it then im not surprise why they have to find work here in sea where bball is just starting and not in any big leagues in the us or europe..and yes that is an insult. and deana intimidation is part of every sport not just basketball thats why you have to be physically and mentally strong.
@3Stars,
She’s just being a mother..
Almost all of us playing basketball have been victims of rough plays (accidental or not). And (usually) if our moms see welts,contusions, scras on us after the game, you’ll hear the same sentiment… and we’ll just tell them, “mom, it’s part of the game”…while the father would say “that’s nothing” or “next time get back at him”.
KJ and MLB (I played pickup games in the US, I never dare call “foul” even if it’s really painful or I’ll hear a mouthful of trash and ‘sissy’ talks) would probably have forgotten about those incidents already.
Read in an article that back in the 60s, a mother of La Salle Player chased an opposing player with an umbrella after her son was roughed up during agame.
@mart, kj is a grown a** man and can take care of himself , “if you want him to be a man treat him like a man” coz if you grow up with your mom always there to throw tantrums on your opponents everytime you lose or got hurt then you better stay in your moms basement. if this is a immediate reaction when you see your son got hurt then its understandable but insulting the whole team the coach and even the name of team is different she should remember that they represent their country and insulting the name of their team is insulting the whole nation as well. you wouldnt want us to do the same with slingers or any other team here rigth?
@ 3stars, you must be the first filipino who has actually trying to convince us that that filipino basketball is not the most physical.
I thought it was a well known fact that philipines players are the most physical and is something that the fans are really proud of. So I don’t quite follow you – you are saying that the other teams are more physical and nastier than the patriots? That is a very strange observation to make.
( Please don’t start saying that PBA is better than Eurlo league now 
)
Btw, just a point of information, if i am not wrong KJ has played in Euro league for a long while already, so I think he is used to much higher quality than the PBA
@moh, a physical game will not give you a flagrant or a technical foul a dirty game will.. its more of compliment to say that we are the most physical so i wont convince you that we are not. if you follow basketball they always say that playing in the international level is more physical so base on your “conclusions” its saying we are in that level although personally i think we need to be more physical to match their post up plays.. and yes kj played in the euro league ” used to” but not anymore just like most asean player imports that “used to” play in the pba but not anymore.. if kj is good they will keep him definitely but hes playing here so i guess you know the answer.
@ 3stars – No I don’t know the answer. And neither do you. Do you have any evidence that he was let go from the Euro League based on performance. Sounds like a leap of faith to make that conculsion. Almost all players in leagues other than the nba play in multiple leagues if iam not wrong – for example the imports from the NBL play in the israeli league and the euro league during the off season from the NBL. I believe thats what KJ will do, perhaps Deanna can confirm that. I am pretty sure he will play omewhere – none of the imports will sit around till next September. The ABL signs the imports based on the duration of the season (this much I do know for sure) – the contract is based on the number of months the season will go on for. So, your analysis is not conclusive.
Regarding the play of the PBA and the patriots – I can only base on what I have seen so far – whcih is the few games played in S’pore which I managed to go for – and of course they are the most physical and the most successful at doing all the hacking, holding, etc away from the ball which the referees don’t catch. If you don’t agree with that, then it means you and I both totally watch the game differently. That being said, I don’t know why everyone whines about it. How could hte other teams be so totally unprepared for it. The coaches know about it and should get the team in the right mindset to expect it and be prepared. Why complain, just get on with it, take the hard play and fight through it, its not like you knew it wasn’t coming.
@moh
basketball analogy for dummies:
basketball = physical game
philippine patriots = the most physical team in the whole world(according to moh)
basketball + philippine patriots = championship
@ 3stars
this is going to needlessly get into a shouting match, so my last post on the matter
Let me summarize too -
‘philippine patriots = the most physical team in the whole world(according to moh)’
errr – where did you pull that one out of? I said that?
Philippine Patriots – most physical and nasty team in the ABL – yes, of course – I stand by that – its the whole point of my previous post isnt it?
KJ’s performance in the Euro League – I don’t know, might have been good, might have been average, might have been poor. Your insinuation that just because he is in the ABL implies he played badly in Euroleague – something again you pulled out of thin air
Philippine Patriots – championship? – Hope Slingers can bag it, but as I have always maintained, Patriots are the strongest and hence the most probable to win it. Though I must add that their superiority seem to be diminishing with each round.
@moh..lemme continue..
philippine patriots = the most physical team in the whole world(according to moh)’
I thought it was a well known fact that philipines players are the most physical and is something that the fans are really proud of” -moh
errr – where did you pull that one out of? I said that?
–lemme quote you “you must be the first filipino who has actually trying to convince us that that filipino basketball is not the most physical.
Philippine Patriots – most physical and nasty team in the ABL – yes, of course – I stand by that – its the whole point of my previous post isnt it?
–lemme quote you again “I can only base on what I have seen so far – whcih is the few games played in S’pore which I managed to go for”-moh
you obviously stuck in games in singapore and havnt watched plays in big leagues that why you come up with that conclusion.
KJ’s performance in the Euro League- I don’t know, might have been good, might have been average, might have been poor. Your insinuation that just because he is in the ABL implies he played badly in Euroleague – something again you pulled out of thin air
– whatever you say if he is that good who would choose abl than euroleague. just so you know if you are not effective anymore you will not get a call from hr saying youre fired,, youll be a benchwarmer first.
Philippine Patriots – championship? – Hope Slingers can bag it, but as I have always maintained, Patriots are the strongest and hence the most probable to win it. Though I must add that their superiority seem to be diminishing with each round.
– i agree.
1. Gabe Freeman-Wrong decision again by Patriots. They should replace 3 local liability player i mentioned several times.
2. Powell is havin2 20% filipino heritage,he will be playing on Philipine amateur league again.
3. Patriots,dont need to spend budget only to face nonsens team in SEA countries.
1. Euro League- The late Drazen Petrovich, considered as the best or one of the best shooter of all time. He play against USA dream team in 1992 barcelona olympics. a monument has made to honor his contribution in Yugoslavian basketball.
He played in NBA in 1990s when euros or asian or any international player difficult to enter to any team in NBA
** One of his coaches is sitting now with Philipine Gilas Team,
Gabe norwood was never played in NBA.
Vincent Askew did not pass but went on to be a regular for the Seattle Supersonics.
Kevin Gamble did not hav a stellar stay in the PBA…went on to bcome a starter for the Boston Celtics…
Gamble is guard position, force to play forward/center with Ginebra
Same thing happen with Vincent Askew.
Best import ever played in PBA are.
1.Billy Ray- scored 25 pts with lakers
2.Mitchell wiggins-1992 USA mens national team. Starting 5 with Rockets together with Ralph Samson
3. Chris King
4.Joe Ward
5.Wes Matthews
6.Cedric Ceballos.
More money in euro league compare to Asian market
Pariots hire Gabe Freeman, is wrong decision..
Why spending more budget only to face weak SEA team.
@ 3stars
Sorry couldn’t let this go – its pretty funny..
philippine patriots = the most physical team in the whole world(according to moh)’
errr – where did you pull that one out of? I said that?
–lemme quote you “you must be the first filipino who has actually trying to convince us that that filipino basketball is not the most physical. I thought it was a well known fact that philipines players are the most physical and is something that the fans are really proud of” -moh
hahahaha, you have pasted the quotes side by side and you still don’t understand the difference – i don’t think I have to explain it right – one talks about the philippine basketball in general and the other talks about the patriots ball club being the most physical in the world!!! – surely you know the difference right?
Second quote- patriots the most physcial and nasty amongst all the teams in ABL – yeah based on the games I have seen – on what else will I base my opinion? Don’t you base your opinions about the ABL based on games you have seen in the ABL, from where do you get your opinions then? Totally confused about what you are trying to say there – why should I go watch other leagues to decide that amongst the 6 teams in ABL, the patriots are the most physical and nasty.
Third quote- about KJ, wow, you totally didn’t comprehend what I said – did I say he chose ABL over Euro League? I just spend one whole para explaining how a lot of imports play in 2 or more leaues during a season since these leagues have small durations – and its possible KJ may do the same. Didn’t you understand what I said?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOLbN4xYjrA
Gabe Freeman was last year’s PBA best import with San Miguel. he’s a thin 6’6 who can play 3 positions (SF, SG, PF). what a freak athlete. that’s all i can say.
@deanna – don’t worry mam, your son is old enough to play this game. i am definitely sure what happen to KJ is already a closed book for him and everybody is moving on except for the folks out here who still whine about hacking, holding and grappling type of fouls. grow up guys!
grow up moh. i wont be surprised if a tickle is considered a foul to you. just enjoy the game kid..
enjoy playing adult ball games everyone.
@moh, you gotta love this guy.. lets make this simple..
heres your quote: ” you must be the first filipino who has actually trying to convince us that that filipino basketball is not the most physical.
I thought it was a well known fact that philipines players are the most physical and is something that the fans are really proud of. So I don’t quite follow you – you are saying that the other teams are more physical and nastier than the PATRIOTS? That is a very strange observation to make”
- isnt that about the patriots in particular?
2nd : patriots the most physcial and nasty amongst all the teams in ABL
- physical-yes.. its given ..nasty?..league is not yet ready for the nasty stuff.. and if your players cant handle a few hackings and grabbing then they we will expect more players from your team to go home and cry over their mom.
3rd:about kj, did i also quote you mentioning that kj chose abl than euroleague?thing is does he even have the luxury to choose or stuck with abl? .. again and for the last time whatever excuses you have, as a player if you are offered to play in euroleague will you drop it and play for the abl? spare me the explanation of in between season stints any player would rather have a multi year contract in 1 team in the nba or euroleague than jump from 1 country to another for limited contract.
@3Stars,
Was there any instance KJ actually hid between his mom?.
Did KJ asked someone in this forum to complain for him?
I’m talking about Deana can say whatever she wants. Her sentiments are not unusual from a mother’s concern for her son.
Why don’t you play pickup one-on-one basketball against KJ or MLB or anybody else from the ABL who complains against roughousing.
Let’s see if you have the guts to even play physical against them.
Try hacking them, I don’t think they’ll complain but be ready to take one from them.
Maybe Slingers management can set up a one-one one game with you. Let’s see if you walk the walk.
Correction:
“Was there any instance KJ actually hid behind (not between) his mom.”
Sorry, my bad…someone else’s grammar seems very contagious here
= D
@ 3stars – i give up!
we can’t understand each other man – my english must be different from yours!!
@mart “Was there any instance KJ actually hid behind his mom.” i dont know nobody knows except kj and his mom but it doesnt mean he doesnt,Did KJ asked someone in this forum to complain for him?who knows but im stating the obvious..if deana can say whatevever she wants and its not unusual..then i can say whateveer i want as well and it will not be unusual since she insulted the way filipinos played basketball and she admitted it..in this forum, now i dont have the rigth to react? saved me from your biased comments.
i just cant help but laugh on some cooments regarding the patriots why cant some accept that basketball aint for sissies hehehe but anyway i like to see SEA basketball gorw into a profitable thing the region is somewhat poised to do that due to this league…and i do hope that one day the patriots would alos get an asean player and not stick with an all filipino line up… and the slingerocks basketball matters when winning if you want you can also get a good import ti bolster your chance of winning instead of whinning like a girl
Guys and Gals,
Stop whining let’s enjoy the game mates! Basketball is like this – if they hack you hack them back, if the referee doesn’t see it then it’s legal period.
@3stars,
I also have right to say biased commments!
I agree – I do act stupid in this forum.
But since you asked for it..I’ll save you from my biased comments from now on.
Peace and Cheers!!!
@mart.. am i suppose to say thank you? anyway cheers for you and goodluck on your stupid exploits!!
@rrrrrrrr freeman is an all around player you dont know basketball that’s why you don’t consider him as a great import.
@Hanoi-Tengiz oil KZ cedric ceballos is a great NBA player but when he came to the PBA he is old enough and done nothing with the team SMB get this guy and replaced him after a couple of games
Yes. you are supposed to thank me!!!
Good luck on your exploits too!!!! =D
Timeout first..
Let’s enjoy SMART Gilas, currently leading 70-65 as of now against Lebanon (5 Imports including CJ Giles)…
What’s amazing is GILAS did not play its import Jamal Samson..
All Filipino GILAS versus All-import(?) Lebanse team.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/smart-gilas
GILAS just lost 79-76. Even lead 74-65 after 14-0 bomb anchored on Tiu and Baracael. GILAS import would not even play any second in the game. Even just for th last minute of the game…
After the tremendous improvement (notably Casio,Tiu, Ballesteros and Baracael), GILAS (without Samson) can easily beat the Patriots (with their imports).
Even before the PBA and the Dubai tourney, GILAS beat the Patriots with a 14-19 pt. lead difference I think that was October, with
NO Import
NO Slaughter
NO Lassiter
Patriots with Dixon and Powell and complete line-up but
NO Acuna
NO Baclao
NO Espiritu
SMART GILAS would trash every team in this ABL league. Basketball level of the GILAS team is way beyond the level of the ABL.
Indonesians and the Malaysians got some potentials to improve though.
If GILAS can beat a top mid East team with 4 Imports and almost beat Lebanon with 2 big imports, Baclao, Espiritu, Acuna (throw in Paul Lee) will not give Patriots any advantage.
GILAS can beat ABL teams not just because of talent but because of Toroman’s system…
Give Toroman the chores of handling the other ABL teams, maybe they’ll be able to perform well against MidEast teams.
It’s a good thing GILAS was able to secure Toroman.
wt says: @Hanoi-Tengiz oil KZ cedric ceballos is a great NBA player but when he came to the PBA he is old enough and done nothing with the team SMB get this guy and replaced him after a couple of games
You are absolutely right. Thats why i put Cedric Ceballos in last spot. He won NBA slumdunk champion and play for NBA for several years. When he play for PBA-SMB Team, not that hes old, but hes being injured.
Im still following toromans system and compare over Juichico,2002, Chot Reyes 2005, and recently Guiao 2009 FIBA
Toroman coach the Yugoslavian National team that produces Europes TOP Shooter, the late Drazen Petrovich.
I am waiting for Philipine team to play again in Olympics
its just best to get someone like Toroman to introduce a team with the euro style of basketball. Thats what separates the Koreans from the formerly beaten POWERADE Team. These Koreans move the ball fluidly hitting 3′s while imposing their dominance inside and on the boards.
On the other note, im glad the KL dragons are now into the semis. The mediocre patriots team have just eliminated Brunei out of contention.
KL and Satria Muda for the Finals.
Koreans undergone dreaded shooting training, same goes with chinese nationals. To beat far east team, 3 swingman need to be a very good shooter,with atleast 1 slasher and 2 low post position player atleast 6’10 that can extremely run the court,rebounds and score.
To beat mideast team,same as above, other way, use much quick player.
They are just tall and strong.
Philippine team send wrong dudes like Arwind santos, taulava,penisi,miller and they failed to get 2 top spot.
Toroman system will face dificulty,since i never seen more filipino legitimate point/shooting guard with 6″4 in height.
Same how i seen in Patriots.
Let Baguion and Ybanez play 1 position and let Alcaraz for 2,so he can find hes spot easily rather than calling the play.
Patriots are weak team in Philippine standard, but so far best in ABL.The main problem with patriots is jeopardizing.
Patriots win champ over SMB.
If ABL champion gets berth (either as ABL Champion directly or as the SEABA Champions Cup) to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, then we’ll know how GILAS and the ABL champion would fare against each other.
Only problem is the imports might be no longer with the team (on contract with another league) when the FIBA Asia Champions Cup kicks off.
I read from a news source (Philippine Star – http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=544186&publicationSubCategoryId=69) that GILAS will play in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup. other items in the GILAS itinerary for this year:
- teams from Australia’s National Basketball League
- Serbia
- Canadian collegiate teams andpossibly the National team
- National teams of New Zealand, Iran, Japan , Korea
- in Las Vegas against some teams.
- in Taiwan for the Jones Cup
- FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup
- in the US against US NCAA Division I schools
These kids must be sick and tired of basketball by the time the Asian Games kick off late this year.