Gabe Freeman’s back, plus updates on nat’l team
Barako Bull Energy, which leads the Alaska Aces 1-0 in their PBA Commissioner's Cup best-of-three quarterfinal series, is bringing in its fourth import of the conference, and this time the Energy aren't taking any chances.
The team has called on ex-San Miguel import Gabe Freeman to help them close out the Aces tomorrow and book a seat in the semifinals against defending champion Talk 'N Text. Freeman, best known for leading the Beermen to the 2009 Fiesta Conference crown where he averaged close to 23 points per contest en route to being named Best Import, is fresh from a stint with the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada where he was named Most Valuable Player and led the Lightning to the inaugural league title.
Freeman also led the Philippine Patriots to the 2010 ASEAN Basketball League title, making that three teams that he's helped win championships. The Energy are hoping, of course, that they'll be the fourth.
Freeman replaces Chukwunike Okosa, who played 11 inconsequential minutes in Barako Bull's 103-90 win over the Aces. The six-ten Nigerian missed all his seven shots from the field and went down in PBA history as perhaps the only import who failed to score in his PBA debut. Curiously, Coach Junel Baculi said Okosa was their original import choice, but as early as Sunday night during the post-game press conference he was already hinting at a change. "If you're not cut out for this, you won't survive," Baculi said when asked about Okosa's dismal debut.
Barako Bull started out with NBA first-round draft pick DerMarr Johnson, who suffered a pulled groin during the team's Dubai game against Rain or Shine last February and had to be replaced. In came Rodney White, who averaged 29.8 points and 13.2 rebounds in five games but asked for some time off to fly back to the US to attend to his ailing father. Barako Bull was 3-2 during White's stint, and it's unfortunate for them that he had to leave.
The Energy are very lucky to have signed up Freeman, because getting a quality replacement on such short notice is tough enough. Getting one that is already familiar with the PBA is even tougher. Freeman should be a good fit for the Energy, where he can complement a veteran team that includes his former San Miguel teammates Mick Pennisi and Danny Seigle.
Thirty-somethings Seigle, Ronald Tubid, Willie Miller and Don Allado made up for Okosa's no-show last Sunday, combining for 75 of Barako Bull's 103 points. "Our veterans know what to do," Baculi said. "They have the experience."
Meanwhile, national team coach Chot Reyes said via Twitter that several members of the 16-man pool have already signed the National Team Commitment Letter. They include Reyes's Talk 'N Text players Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel De Ocampo, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, Alaska's LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss, Powerade's Gary David, Rain or Shine's Gabe Norwood, and Barangay Ginebra's Rico Villanueva.
The letter reads, in part:
"I hereby confirm my willingness to be included in the pool of candidates for the SMART GILAS PILIPINAS Men's National Team of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
"I understand and accept the responsibilities of being a national pool member, which include, but are not limited to, attending all team functions, game, and practice sessions, as long as they are not in conflict with my PBA team's official schedules.
"As a national pool player, I further commit to devote my full time and effort to SMART GILAS in the off-season, even if it means sacrificing my rest and vacation periods, from now until the FIBA-Asia Championships in September, 2013, and even possibly the FIBA World Championships in September, 2014."
Reyes is still waiting for the commitment letters of Petron's Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot, and B-Meg's James Yap and Marc Pingris. Powerade's Marcio Lassiter, who is in the US, has reportedly given his verbal OK. Reyes added that B-Meg has requested that the letter be coursed through the PBA office since the Llamados are still playing in the quarterfinals. Strange request, if you ask me, since Alaska is also still in the quarterfinals yet that didn't stop Thoss and Tenorio from signing on.
An encouraging development was the signing of Villanueva, not because he's our best big man, but because he's with the San Miguel group. There have been some apprehensions about whether SMC will allow its players to join the pool, and Villanueva's signing at the very least suggests SMC hasn't completely barred its players. Of course, I'm sure Reyes will breathe a lot easier once the four other SMC players sign on as well, which hopefully will be soon.
E-mail: sid_ventura@yahoo.com. Twitter: @Sid_Ventura.
