Beermen seek revenge sans import

San Miguel Beer must do without its explosive American import when the Beermen try to avenge their loss against the Westports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) this Saturday.

The league slapped a one-game suspension on Gabe Freeman—who averages a team-best 18.29 points and 10.43 rebounds—for “unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary and excessive physical contact” in the game the Beermen won over the Singapore Slingers, 66-55, last Sunday.

Freeman, who was also fined an undisclosed amount, figured in a scuffle in the road-game win against Singapore’s Desmond Oh and import Kyle Jeffers, who was similarly fined.

San Miguel forward Mike Burtscher also got penalized with an undisclosed amount for his “comment regarding league officials made via his public Twitter account in early February.”

League rules allow teams to file an appeal in the next 36 hours.

The Beermen, who have yet to win back-to-back games this season, will shoot for a fifth victory against the Dragons at 4 p.m. this Saturday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.