Vanguardia downplays Freeman factor

Westports Malaysia Dragons coach Ariel Vanguardia has dismissed suggestions the San Miguel Beermen will be less dangerous without the suspended Gabe Freeman.

Freeman is the Beermen's leading scorer with over 18 points per game this season but will miss Saturday's clash with the Kuala Lumpur-based club in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

The ABL hit Freeman with a fine and a one match ban earlier in the week for 'unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary and excessive physical contact' during last Sunday's 66-55 win over the Jobstreet.com Singapore Slingers.

The Beermen chose not to appeal the sanction.

"We're abiding by the decision," a spokesperson for the Filipino outfit told FOX Sports.

However, Vanguardia is not buying into the idea that the Beermen - a club he holds in a high regard - will suffer as a result.

"Honestly, I think they will be more fired up playing without Freeman," Vanguardia said.

"With their talent, they have plenty of guys that can step up and score for them like [Ricardo Jr] Cawaling, [Hezy Val ll] Acuna, [Ryan Joseph] Rizada, and league MVP [Leo] Avenido. I also expect [Hans Paul Franz Jr] Thiele and [Michael Andre] Burtscher to provide them the rebounds that Freeman gives them in games.

"It's more difficult now to scout where they will be attacking from and how they will play without Freeman. One thing for sure is [Chris] Banchero has been on fire in the last three games for the Beermen; Asi [Taulava] playing on his birthday will come out swinging, and Matt Rogers is a very versatile big-man for them."

If it seems like Vanguardia knows a heck of a lot about the Beermen it's because he does. Saturday's game against the Philippines outfit will mark the Dragons' first trip back to Manila since being knocked out of the ABL semi-finals last year by the home team.

This season, Vanguardia has openly said he rebooted his Dragons in the off season in a bid to ensure a repeat result would not be on the cards.

"After that painful loss last year in the semis, and with the Beermen losing in the finals [to the Indonesia Warriors], knowing their organisation I knew they would build up and get the best available talent. So as early as July, I was trying to build a team that can be able to at least match up with their personnel," Vanguardia said.

He added: "Being a Filipino, personally I always look forward to playing the Beermen because I've got a lot of respect for their organisation and rich championship tradition. It gets me pumped up even days before the game."

The Dragons (4-4) have begun to turn around their early season slump and are now on a two game win streak which began when they defeated the Beermen at MABA Stadium in Malaysia on February 16.

A stunning debut from Sammy Monroe secured the 82-76 win over the Beermen on that occasion, although the American is taking nothing for granted this weekend.

"It's going to be a little tougher this time, going to Manila, but we have no fear... we're going come out and play hard and be aggressive," he said.

"I'm going to push my team mates as hard as I can in practice. I'm going to talk to them and I'm going to try and be a leader on the floor."

Monroe has scored 32 points in each of his two games for the Dragons so far and is also averaging 7.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals and 2 blocks.

"Sammy is a competitor, every time he laces up he gives 110%," Vanguardia said.

"I still think the best is yet to come for him."

The Beermen (4-3) will have the home court advantage when they welcome the Dragons at Ynares Sports Arena, Philippines on the 2nd of March for a 1600hr local/HKT tip-off.

Source: Fox Sport