No worries for Barangay Ginebra as Gabe Freeman in tip-top shape

Photo from GSM Panatiko Twitter account

MANILA --  Gabe Freeman is in tip-top shape.

This is how Barangay Ginebra San Miguel slotman Jayr Reyes assessed the condition of their new reinforcement, who joined them at practice for the first time Wednesday morning.

“OK siya, mukhang kundisyon. Saka grabe ang energy niya. Hindi napapagod at maganda ang ipinakita niya sa practice naming kanina,” said Reyes of their import who arrived in the country at around 3:40 AM.

“May jetlag at pagod pa yun kaya nga optimistic kami na sana ito na ang kailangan namin,” said the former UP Maroon star. “Ang sipag niya sa adepensa at rebound. Hustle player talaga.”

With Leon Rodgers and Josh Powell, for different reasons, failing to fit the need of the team, expect Freeman to be the Kings' saving grace.

The 28-year-old, two-time PBA Best Import awardee should be a welcome addition to Ginebra as he can play 2, 3 and 4 spots.

“Yun nga ang maganda sa kanya. Mas marami kaming pwedeng gawing kumbinasyon ngayon!” said Reyes.

“Dati kasi parang limitado rotation, kasi yung dating mga import 4 and 5 lang laro so kahit papano medyo affected din yung strength ng team, yung twin towers,” said the 6-7 slotman.

And with Freeman’s arrival, Reyes can only hope that Ginebra will regain their old deadly form which they displayed in the last Philippine Cup eliminations.

“Sana nga, makuha na ang rhythm ng team. Tingin ko kaya naman, ginagawa naman namin yung best namin lagi,” he said.

Freeman is expected to debut in a Ginebra uniform on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

In his first tour of duty in the PBA, he averaged 23 points, 15.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 steals, while handing San Miguel the 2009 Fiesta Conference title. He made a return to the country in 2012, this time suiting up for Barako Bull Energy, where he normed 21.7 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

The journeyman also had stints playing for the Philippine Patriots and San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

Meanwhile, a team source told Solar Sports Desk that the working papers of Freeman from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Games and Amusement Board (GAB) have already been processed.

He is set to be measured by PBA technical officials on Saturday at around 1 PM.

Sana talaga imaximize nila yung height advantage nung twin tower naten pwede ba nga lumaki yang line up na yan kung gusto nilang maging scorer si Gabe at maging mismatch sa kalaban

Greg, Japeth, Reyes, Gabe & LA

Greg sa C, Reyes sa PF, SF naman si Japeth at SG si Gabe, may long range bomb din itong si Gabe kaya makakattraact din ito ng kalaban..