GLOBALPORT BOUNCES BACK, STUNS ALASKA
COMING off a 20-point blowout loss in its last assignment, Globalport turned to its veterans at the crunch and got amply rewarded with a 91-88 victory over Alaska Friday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Markeith Cummings notched 28 points and also had nine rebounds, but it was the likes of two-time MVP Willie Miller and Gary David delivering when the game was on the line that spelled the biggest difference in the Batang Pier’s second victory in three games.
Globalport head coach Junel Baculi said it is but to be expected.
“We have seven new guys and an import seeing action here for the first time, so yung mga beterano na lang talaga ang kailangang magdala, to show the way for their teammates,” said Baculi.
Feted by the league before the game for his Gilas Pilipinas stint David scored six of his 10 points inside the last 3:33, the last triple shattering the game’s last deadlock at 88 and giving the Batang Pier the three-point lead with only 9.3 seconds to go.
“He showed he has the heart. He drained that game-winner,” noted Baculi whose wards were coming off a 94-74 rout at the hands of Rain or Shine last Saturday.
Prior to that big basket, the left-handed Miller had a couple of his own, both off right-handed layups that put the Mikee Romero-owned team on top, 88-85, still1:54 left.
Globalport’s celebrations, however, did not get fully unleashed until Jayvee Casio went wide on a hurried three-point shot in Alaska’s final thrust as the Aces’ campaign in the conference got off to a sour start.
Likewise spoiled was Wendell McKines’ 28 points, built around an overpowering inside game that also netted him 13 boards.
The last of McKines’ nine offensive rebounds was off Sonny Thoss’ miss and his kickout pass to Cyrus Baguio resulted in a straightaway triple that pegged the game’s 11th and last deadlock at 88, 1:10 seconds to go.
Miller wound up with 14 points and Jay Washington added 11 points and nine rebounds, the bulk coming before he got into foul trouble as early as the third quarter.
Although they didn’t score much, relievers Chad Alonzo, Rudy Lingganay and rookies Kelly Nabong and Marvin Hayes did their part on the defensive end, helping Globalport sustain a fightback from an early 10-point deficit.
The game also had 15 lead changes and, despite Alaska’s fine start, boiled down to the payoff canto where Globalport gave itself an even chance to win by forging a 68-all count at the end of the third period.
Thoss chipped in 16 points, Baguio 13 and Casio 11. Calvin Abueva only had seven points but hauled down 11 rebounds for Alaska, which won the Commissioner’s Cup crown last May.
What helped do the Aces in were their 14-for-30 free throw shooting, negating their 35-for-76 clip from the field to Globalport’s 31-for-72. The Batang Pier also muffed just four of their 22 charity tries.
Sol Mercado only had nine points but wound up with six assists. Inserted back into the game only in the final 19.3 seconds, it was his last feed to the waiting David at the right flank that resulted in the game-winner.
It was Globalport’s first-ever win in four meetings against Alaska since joining the league prior to the start of the season. (NC)
The scores:
Globalport 91 – Cummings 28, Miller 14, Washington 11, David 10, Mercado 9, Hayes 5, Nabong 4, Lingganay 4, Yee 4, Alonzo 2, Faundo 0.
Alaska 88 – McKines 28, Thoss 16, Baguio 13, Casio 11, Abueva 7, Espinas 6, Hontiveros 3, Ramos 2, Dela Cruz 2, Jazul 0.
Quarterscores: 19-26, 44-45, 68-68, 91-88
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