Newly-signed Townsville Crocodiles import Gabriel Freeman has shown some impressive form in the PBA Fiesta Cup Championship in the Philippines, with his team the San Miguel Beermen leading 2-1 in the semi final series against Llamados Derby Ace.

On Sunday Freeman scored 14 points and added 20 rebounds for the defending champions despite fouling out with 7:34 left to play.  His efforts helped his San Miguel team come back from a big first half deficit, after trailing by as much as 17 points, to clinch a 74-70 victory and take a 2-1 series lead.

Freeman has proven to be somewhat of an emotional leader for his team and during halftime he was heard pumping up his teammates when they went into the break trailing Llamados, yelling for them to “show some heart.” 

That’s exactly what the team did in the second half, stealing a slim four-point margin from Derby Ace to seal victory on a crucial three-pointer by Arwind Santos in the final 65 seconds.

Freeman’s solid form on Sunday follows a similar showing in Game Two of the semi final series that saw him hit 18 points and pull down 21 boards in San Miguel’s heartbreaking one-point loss to Llamados.

The new Croc also  had 23 points and 15 rebounds on 9-of-13 field goal shooting and 5-of-7 free throw shooting in a big Game One win, 101-88.

The Beermen and Derby Ace will meet for Semi Final Game Four on Wednesday at 7.40pm local Philippines time at the Cuneta Astrodome. 

To keep track of the results visit www.pba.ph.