Patriots rip Barracudas for No.1 semifinal slot

MANILA, Philippines - Gabe Freeman dished out a double-double game of 20 points and 21 rebounds as the Philippine Patriots cruised to an 87-65 victory over the Brunei Barracudas to nail the No. 1 spot in the semifinal round of the first Asean Basketball League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Freeman dominated the shaded lane to complete another solid game, finishing with four assists and two steals to help register the Patriots’ 11th win against four losses.

The Patriots, the only team to sweep eight games at home, will take on the KL Dragons, whom they beat twice in three meetings, in the best-of-three semis starting Sunday.

The Malaysians captured the No. 4 spot with a 70-67 win over the Satria Muda BritAma in Jakarta on a last second trey by Shee Fai Loh.

KL, which swept its last three games, finished the elimination round with a 7-8 record while Brunei bowed out of the semis race with a 6-9 mark.


Freeman poured in 12 points and hauled down nine rebounds in the first half, scoring the team’s last four points for a 43-35 lead at halftime.

He tipped in a missed shot by Elmer Espiritu as the Patriots posted their biggest lead at 63-41 with 2:35 left in the third period.

Source: Author Unknown  | Philstar.com