INQUIRER Sports

 W L
 Philippines 10 4
 Singapore 9 5
 Indonesia 8 6
 Brunei 6 8
 Malaysia 6 8
 Thailand 3 11

GAME TODAY
(Ynares Sports Arena)
4 p.m.?Philippine Patriots vs Brunei Barracudas

PUMPED UP BY THE ADDITION OF GABE Freeman, the Philippine Patriots shoot for the top semifinal berth against the upset-conscious Brunei Barracudas in the Asean Basketball League Sunday.

Freeman will be up against Brunei?s new import, Australian center Simon Conn, who was recruited by the fourth-ranked Barracudas in their 4 p.m. fight for survival at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

?The locals should also contribute,? said Patriots coach Louie Alas. ?They have to help Freeman and (other American import Jason) Dixon.?

Freeman, the 2009 PBA Best import, debuted with 21 points and 14 boards in the Patriots? 91-87 triumph over the Thailand Tigers last Sunday.

The victory kept the Patriots on top at 10-4, just a game ahead of the second-running Singapore Slingers (9-5).

If the Patriots lose, the Slingers can still forge a tie for the top spot with a victory in their own 4 p.m. encounter against the Thailand Tigers today in the final elimination game at the Nimibutr National Stadium in Bangkok.

Freeman, who replaced Brandon Powell, helped the Patriots snapped a two-game skid in Thailand just a couple of days after joining the Patriots.

?I didn?t have a good sleep for three days before we played the Tigers,? said the 6-foot-6 Freeman. ?But I?m now fully settled and ready to play my real game.?

The Barracudas and the Kuala Lumpur Dragons, both tied at 6-8, are battling for the last semifinal berth.

The 6-foot-9 Conn, who will team up with Brunei?s prolific American import Reggie Larry, had stints in Poland, Holland and the Melbourne South Dragons of the National Basketball League in Australia.

?We just need him (Conn) to shore up the interior with some tough defense,? Brunei team manager Benny Ang said in an ABL statement.