PETRON BLAZE DRUBS NEW-LOOK GLOBALPORT
FEW can beat chemistry and Petron Blaze just proved it against GlobalPort.
Playing more organized than the massively revamped Batang Pier, the Boosters had little trouble notching a 97-87 win Wednesday at the start of their PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup campaign at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz each had 18 points and Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo were likewise solid in a balanced Petron attack that had it easily dispelling whatever threat GlobalPort has to offer.
Sol Mercado finished with a gamehigh 20 points and Jay Washington 15 and as many rebounds. But the entire Batang Pier crew that featured six new players in its opening assignment sorely lacked the fluidity the Boosters displayed so well.
The win did not come without a price, though, as Yousif Taha, one of only three newcomers in the Petron squad that wound up second in the last Governors Cup, suffered a knee injury off a bad fall that took him out of the game near the midway mark of the second quarter.
“We’re happy and at the same time worried about this win,” said Boosters coach Gee Abanilla.
“Happy because despite some personnel problem we got this win but, unfortunately Taha had an injury.”
The delight should far eclipse the concerns, however.
Petron emerged with a 58-47 advantage off the boards and although it had more turnovers, 17-15, stressed teammanship with 27 assists to 14 by GlobalPort.
In all, Petron’s newcomers hardly seemed to have any ill effects on the team, making it hardly miss the services of the injured Alex Cabagnot, Chico Lanete and Ronald Tubid.
Chris Ross, acquired in a pre-season trade from GlobalPort, only scored three points but also notched six assists, five rebounds and three steals while Taha added six markers before leaving the game. Even Jojo Duncil, plucked from free agency, chipped in two points and as many steals
Their counterparts in the Batang Pier tried to do their share, with Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia combining for 17 points, Leo Najorda notching 10 and Eric Menk six points along with five boards. But Nico Salva and Jewel Ponferada conspired for only five points.
Still, GlobalPort’s promise became very evident when it managed to hang on to Petron’s tail for most of the game, only to fade in the times that mattered most.
With Lutz, Lassiter, Santos and Fajardo alternating at taking the lead the difference got stretched to a high of 95-76, going to the game’s final 2:46.
Fajardo wound up with a gamehigh 16 boards while Lutz and Santos combined for 15.
Ironically, Taha’s exit seemed to fire up Petron even more as Fajardo, Lutz, Santos and Lassiter joined hands in a 10-4 run to make it a 45-30 count.
With Romeo and Washington finally getting their vaunted offensive games going GlobalPort trimmed what was a 44-56 halftime deficit to just 58-62.
But Fajardo scored off a Santos dish to spark a 13-5 surge, which had Lassiter scattering seven points capped by a triple, and the Boosters went into the final period with a commanding 75-63 spread. (NC)
The scores;
Petron 97 – Lassiter 18, Lutz 18, Santos 16, Fajardo 15, Kramer 11, Hubalde 7, Taha 6, Ross 3, Duncil 2, Deutchman 1.
Globalport 87 – Mercado 20, Washington 15, Romeo 13, Najorda 10, Menk 6, Hayes 6, Belencion 4, Salvador 4, Garcia 4, Salva 3, Ponferada 2, Lingganay 0, Nabong 0.
Quarters: 28-18; 56-44; 75-63; 97-87
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