With other options unavailable, Ginebra settles for two-time Best Import Gabe Freeman

Sports5 file/Paul Ryan Tan

With their top choices to replace Josh Powell unavailable, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has settled on two-time Best Import Gabe Freeman to try to salvage the team’s campaign in the PLDT Home TVolution Commissioner’s Cup.

Ginebra official Robert Non confirmed the development to InterAksyon.com, saying Freeman is scheduled to board a flight to Manila on Monday night to be able to play for Ginebra on Sunday.

The Gin Kings earlier looked at Andre Emmett and Charles Thomas as options to take the place of Powell, who left the team to sign with the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

“Hindi available si Emmett and hindi rin puwede si Thomas,” Non told InterAksyon.com “Si Gabe ang sumagot and he will be here in our next game.”

According to Non, the team has been keeping an eye on Freeman even before Powell came in to replace original import Leon Rodgers.

“Last time, he couldn’t commit because he admitted na wala pa siya sa kundisyon. Kaya ang ginawa niya, nagpakundisyon siya, naglaro nang naglaro for three weeks,” said Non.

Freeman won two Best Import awards while playing for San Miguel Beer in 2009 and 2010. He led the Beermen to the Fiesta Conference title in 2009. Freeman last saw action in the PBA in 2012 for Barako Bull.