Romeo, Pringle lift GlobalPort past Star
Globalport started strong consistently on all quarters and bucked the mightiest of Star rallies in hacking out a 101-94 win in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Friday night.
The Batang Pier came out strongest in the final canto, igniting a vicious 17-2 run to put the game away and score a first win ever over the Purefoods-SMC franchise in an all-Filipino tourney.
“Marami pang ii-improve ang team na ito. Kulang pa ang chemistry. Pag nabuo, maraming papahirapan ito,” said Globalport coach Pido Jarencio.
“May mission ang team na ito. We want to make the playoffs, and we’ll take it from there,” Jarencio also said.
Walloped by San Miguel Beer in a road game in Davao Saturday, the Batang Pier were in a hurry to show what they’ve got against the Hotshots, opening with a 12-1 tear and leading all the way to the finish.
“Kahit mga beterano na, mukhang di nakalaro ng maayos sa Davao dahil sa first-game jitters. Pero ayaw nilang ma-zero-two, kaya lahat nagtrabaho,” said Jarencio.
The Globalport dynamic backcourt duo of Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo led the way with 23 and 20 points, respectively.
Doug Kramer, Keith Jensen and Jay Washington also produced double-digit outputs for the Batang Pier who dealt the Hotshots a second loss in three starts under new coach Jason Webb.
On their 17-2 run to start the fourth quarter, the Batang Pier broke the game open at 91-75 and held on to nail only a second win in 13 head-on matches with the Hotshots.
With tremendous hustles, the Batang Pier produced 12 points more than what the Hotshots got off turnovers as Globalport led all throughout in the first half.
The Batang Pier started with a 12-1 tear and enjoyed another 11-point lead at 47-36 before settling for a 48-46 edge at the turn.
Keith Jensen rifled in two three-pointers while Romeo took a steal then scored off Justin Melton on a one-on-one attack as Globalport sat on its second 11-point cushion.
But Marc Pingris ignited a crucial run of their own as the Hotshots narrowed the gap down to two going into the final half.
Jensen went 3-of-3 from the arc to highlight his 12-point effort in the first half.
After the Batang Pier reestablished a double-digit spread at 56-46, the Hotshots waged another chase and had a chance to pull ahead in the third but Alex Mallari fumbled their possession in the waning seconds.
And the Hotshots sputtered through the next six minutes, allowing the Batang Pier to zoom away for good. (SB)
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