BATANG PIER EYE EARLY LEAD, FIRST-EVER WIN OVER HOTSHOTS

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GlobalPort has yet to beat Purefoods even once since joining the PBA in 2012.

The Batang Pier try to end the Hotshots’ domination of their head-on duels and make a rare 2-0 tournament start as the two teams clash Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

This could be a good opportunity for GlobalPort to put a dent on Purefoods’ record in their personal matchups with all the handicaps the Hotshots carry in the 7 p.m. setto.

Purefoods hopes to make do with Marqus Blakely as the team still awaits the completion of Daniel Orton’s tour of duty in the Chinese league.

The Hotshots will lack ceiling as Ian Sangalang is still recuperating from an ACL surgery while Yousef Taha is serving the first of a two-game suspension incurred for the punches thrown at Rain or Shine import Rick Jackson during a tune-up game.

But what concerns coach Tim Cone more is their reputation as slow starters in a tourney.

“We’re hoping to get out of the gate quickly this conference. That’s is one of our main goals. We certainly don’t want to play behind,” said Cone.

But Cone also acknowledges the problems that may be presented by GlobalPort main guys CJ Leslie, Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle.

“Leslie, Pringle and Romeo are tough matchups for any team, so we’ll have to find some solutions for them if we expect to win,” said Cone.

The GlobalPort trio all delivered sterling all-around games as the Batang Pier subdued the Kia Carnival and their hulking 7-foot-3 import Peter John Ramos, 100-89, in the tournament opener Tuesday.

Leslie came up with 31 points and 14 rebounds and drew tremendous support from Romeo and Pringle as they negated Ramos’ whopping stats of 41 points and 20 rebounds.

Before his debut, not much had been written about Leslie as he arrived in the country a few days back as a replacement to Rob Benson who measured above the 6-foot-9 ceiling for the imports of the Top Eight in the last conference.

“We’re actually still in the honeymoon stage. But he showed he’s a smart, brilliant player,” said GlobalPort coach Eric Gonzales of Leslie, their third choice after Derrick Caracter then Benson.

“He had had only two practice games with us. He’s a bit off then as he’s still adjusting to the weather and the food. Thankfully, he delivered,” Gonzales also said.

Romeo and Pringle provided the team much toughness in the backcourt, combining for 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as the Batang Pier handed the Carnival an 11th straight loss after a triumphant season debut against fellow PBA newcomer Blackwater.

Leslie had 17 points while Romeo and Pringle had 11 and eight, respectively, as GlobalPort sat on a 56-42 cushion at the half.

The Batang Pier dominated throughout but had to fend off a Kia uprising that saw the Carnival charge to within seven at 83-90 from 19 points down at 69-88.

At the height of the Kia rally, Leslie made key defensive stops that the team parlayed into crucial baskets, sparking an eight-to-nothing roll that eventually propelled GlobalPort to victory.

Where would Purefoods turn to stop Leslie? That’s the big question in Friday’s game. (SB)

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