Budiey
AirAsia Philippine Patriots beat Westports KL Dragons to gain 1-0 lead
A heroic performance from Gabriel Freeman, who scored 36 points with 11 rebounds, led the AirAsia Philippine Patriots to a gritty 88 -83 win over the Westports KL Dragons in the first game of the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League playoffs semi-finals.
Both teams started the games playing very tight on defense with the Patriots early full court press giving the Patriots a head start with a 9 – 2 lead.
The Dragons did not panic and steady play brought them back into the game with a 14 – 5 run bringing them their first lead of the game at 16 – 14. With the defensive pressure not relenting from either team, the quarter ended with both teams tied at 18 apiece.
Defense again took the prominence at the start of the 2nd quarter with the half court pressure from the Patriots clearing affecting the Dragon’s play, limiting them to only 4 points in the first 6 minutes. The Patriots took a commanding 10 point lead off a John Alcaraz shot with 2:07 left in the half but once again, much like the first half, the Dragons clawed their way back into the game, coming within 6 at the end of the half off back to back 3 pointers from Justin Leith, who ended the half with 14 points.
The pressure defense from the Patriots had forced the Dragons to 9 turnovers and an abysmal 32% shooting in the first half. The Dragons were showing their defensive strengths as well, forcing the Patriots to 8 turnovers in the half.
The Dragons started the 3rd quarter with determined play, drawing within 41 – 40 behind a 3 pointer from Nakiea Miller and basket from Justin Leith. The game proceeded to be very close as the Patriots and Dragons traded baskets with the lead never getting to more than 3 but with 1 minute remaining, Gabriel Freeman scored 5 straight points allowing the Patriots to pull ahead at 64 – 59.
The Dragons came back at the start of the 4th quarter going on a 12 – 6 run behind 7 points from Rudy Lingganay. Sensing urgency, the Patriots would take control after that, retaking the lead for good as Freeman once again knocked down a jumper. The Dragons tried to keep in the game but suddenly Freeman caught fire, having a personal 7 – 0 run, pulling the Patriots ahead by 9 with 3:02 remaining in the game. Once last run by the Dragons came up short, as the Patriots held on, ending the game 88 – 83.
Clearly the man of the match, Freeman was asked what motivated him to his dominant performance “It’s Basketball instinct, when our team was down I just wanna go out be aggressive and help our team”.
The Patriots dominated the boards against the Dragons, 41 – 22, behind a combined 24 rebounds from Freeman and Steven Thomas.
The combination of Nakiea Miller, Justin Leith and Rudy Ligganay combined for 64 of the Dragons 83 points as the rest of the team went 2 – 16 from the field.
The league leader in fouls per game, Freeman picked up his 3rd foul at the end of the half but was able to stay foul less till the end of the game.
Catch the Chang Thailand Slammers live at 7pm local time on ESPN as they face the Singapore Slingers at the Thai-Japanese Gymnasium in Thailand tomorrow!
