The Philippine Patriots tapped former PBA Best Import winner Gabe Freeman as its new reinforcement in a move to keep their hold of the top spot in the ASEAN Basketball League.

The 6-foot-6 Freeman, who led San Miguel to its 18th championship last season, will replace Brandon Powell as the Patriots try to end a two-game skid with just two games left in their elimination round campaign.

The Patriots are leading the six-nation league with a 9-4 record but suffered consecutive setback at the hands of second placer Singapore Slingers and the fifth-running KL Dragons on the road last week.

The Patriots management is hoping that the athleticism and energy of Freeman, who is scheduled to arrive last night, will rub off to the rest of the team seeking to bag the league's inaugural crown.

"His energy and the intensity that he brings to the game will really rub off to his teammates. And he can also play the three and four spot so whatever's needed by the team. I think he can give it," said Patriots team manager Erick Arejola.

In 24 games played in last year's Fiesta Conference, the 6-foot-6, 205 lbs Freeman averaged 23 points and 15.5 rebounds and had 22 double-doubles in leading the Beermen to their 18th title overall after downing sister team Barangay Ginebra in seven games.

In that title-clinching game, Freeman had 29 points and 18 rebounds and wound up winning the Best Import award. He also competed in the PBA Slam Dunk Contest last year but lost to Ginebra's David Noel in the imports division.

Freeman played for the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry of the Premier Basketball League where he normed 12 points and 5.7 rebounds in three games while teaming up with many-time Burger King import Shawn Daniels.

He was also a former member of the Continental Basketball Association's Albany Patroons.

Powell played in all 13 games and averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He registered a season-best 20 points in a win against the Dragons last December 19 but has played inconsistent in the last few games.

The Patriots will play the Thailand Tigers this Sunday at the Nimbutr National Stadium in Bangkok before wrapping up their elimination round campaign at home against the Brunei Barracudas on the 24th.