Freeman scores 34 to lead Barako Bull to victory over Alaska and advance to PBA semis

Alaska head coach Joel Banal anticipated a breakout game from Barako Bull’s Gabe Freeman.

Freeman did just that as the high-leaping import powered the Energy to a 106-85 blowout win over the Aces in their do-or-die battle of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Freeman erupted for a game-high 34 points and plucked down 19 rebounds as the Energy won the best-of-three series to arrange a best-of-five semifinal duel with the defending champions Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.

The Final Four round will start on Tuesday.

Freeman tallied 22 points and 17 rebounds in Game 2, where the Aces clobbered the Energy, 99-92, to seal the sudden-death matchup.

After that win, Banal warned his wards to be ready for a Freeman payback in Game 3. It turned out the Aces were not up to the task.

Freeman started to work early, scoring 12 points in the first quarter.

The only thing that slowed down Freeman was the third personal foul that he got in the eight-minute mark of the second. Freeman had to sit for a while but it didn’t slow down the Energy as Danny Seigle scored four straight points and Mick Pennisi and Ronald Tubid each dropped three-point shots in a 10-0 run that gave the Energy a 40-36 edge, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Barako Bull ended the second quarter on a 15-5 run with Freeman capping the rally with five straight points as the Energy sat on a 55-42 halftime lead.