ABL suspends Gabe; Menk out with injury

MANILA, Philippines - The San Miguel Beermen suffered a big blow in personnel as Gabe Freeman was suspended by the Asean Basketball League yesterday while forward Eric Menk will be out for one month due to injury.

Freeman was meted a one-game ban and fined an undisclosed amount for “unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary and excessive physical contact” in the Beermen’s 66-55 win over the Singapore Slingers Sunday in Singapore.

The ABL did not specify what Freeman did to merit the penalty, although he shoved Desmond Oh and engaged Kyle Jeffers in a shouting match during that game.  

Jeffers also received sanction for unsportsmanlike conduct in the same game held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium but only got an undisclosed fine and escaped suspension.

Adding to the Beermen’s woes was the sidelining of Menk with a fractured nose. 

“Big loss to San Miguel Beermen. Erik Menk suffered a fractured nose in Singapore. He will be operated (on) ASAP and will be out for a month,” said San Miguel sports director Noli Eala.

San Miguel is already missing the services of import Brian Williams, who is still recuperating from a knee injury. Former San Mig Coffee reinforcement Matt Rogers is filling in for Williams.