By Waylon Galvez
San Miguel Beer’s decision to replace its import proved a blessing in disguise for the Beermen.
Import Gabe Freeman debuted in style as he fired 40 points to power San Miguel to a 114-105 victory over Burger King at the Araneta Coliseum last night to grab a share of the lead in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup.
Freeman, who replaced Nate Carter, scored 10 of the last 17 SMB points in the final three minutes. He shot 14-of-24 from the field and missed only one of his 13 attempts from the stripes while adding 15 rebounds, one assist, a steal and a shot block.
Freeman’s 40-point effort was actually third best this season-ending conference.
His former CBA teammate Rod Nealy of defending champion Barangay Ginebra had 42 points in his first game against Coca-Cola while Barako Bull’s Scooter McFadgon had 41 points in a loss to Rain or Shine.
The win kept San Miguel’s record clean at 2-0 and frustrated Burger King’s bid for a third straight victory.
In the second game, Barako Bull barged into the win column after three games via a 92-90 decision over Alaska, which stayed winless after two starts.
"We know he’s (Freeman) a livewire, aggressive, which is kailangan ng team," SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen said. "We’re expecting the energy and defense, but we didn’t expect the scoring. It’s a pleasant surprise that he scored so many points.
The 6-foot-5 Freeman, who played for the Albany Patroons with Nealy and Coke import J.J. Sullinger in the CBA, replaced Carter who failed to get a clearance from St. Etienne, the last team he played for in France before coming here.
Freeman’s jumper gave San Miguel a 26-point lead, 81-55, with 3:30 left in the third.
However, Burger King rallied back in the final frame behind Arwind Santos, JR Quinahan, Cyrus Baguio and Gary David, whose three-pointer trimmed the deficit to only three, 94-97, with 3:34 remaining in the game.
But Freeman led a 13-4 run, which included a big three-pointer from Jonas Villanueva, for a 110-99 lead with a minute to play.
First Game
SAN MIGUEL 114 — Freeman 40, Washington 17, Villanueva 16, Pena 15, Racela 8, Custodio 7, Pennisi 5, Hontiveros 4, Gonzales 2, Bono 0.
BURGER KING 105 — Santos 26, Belga 17, David 13, Quinahan 10, Daniels 10, Baguio 8, Rodriguez 5, Arboleda 5, Cruz M. 4, Cruz C. 3, Villanueva 2, Alonzo 2, Billones 0.
Quarters: 27-28, 56-42, 85-66, 114-105.
Second Game
Barako Bull 92 — McFadgon 36, Arigo 15, Chan 13, Espinas 11, Hubalde 10, Holper 4, Juntilla 3, Membrere 0, Sharma 0, Hrabak 0, Crisano 0.
Alaska 90 — Miller 23, Tenorio 18, Delacruz 12, De Vance 11, Young 10, Thoss 6, Fonacier 5, Hugnatan 4, Cariaso 1, Cablay 0.
Quarters: 14-20, 32-25, 65-67, 92-90.
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