The GlobalPort Batang Pier notched its first win streak of the conference as they pounded the Blackwater Elite, 101-78, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
The locals put on a show for both teams as the two squads went to a shootout for a tight exchange in the opening minutes. Blackwater managed to taste the lead for a short period of time but their hot shooting in the opening minutes eventually subsided in favor of the Batang Pier who grabbed the lead at the end of the first quarter.
With import Calvin Warner pacing the squad both on offense and defense, GlobalPort raised an 11-2 run to establish their double-digit separation against the struggling Elite squad. After which, the two teams exchanged triples but it did not favor the chasing Blackwater team as GlobalPort maintained the lead.
Despite the reinstatement of Marcus Douthit to the five of Blackwater, Terrence Romeo took charge in responding to every rally potentially built by the Elite. Romeo finished the first 24 minutes of play with 13 points.
Stanley Pringle started off the second half aggressively with three driving attempts as he scored twice to further elevate the lead. The locals of the Elite chipped in minimal points but were unable to protect on the other end, as Batang Pier shots were still on target. They installed their largest lead at 19 during the third period with a Ronjay Buenafe triple and entered the fourth quarter still clinging to a comfortable margin.
The lead burst to the twenties during the fourth as the rampage continued in favor of GlobalPort. The substitutes that were fielded sufficiently kept Blackwater at bay in spite of having the latter’s import Douthit in the game until the last minute.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 101 – Romeo 25, Warner 17, Buenafe 15, Pringle 10, Isip 9, Ponferada 8, Taha 6, Miranda 4, Caperal 4, Semerad 3, Pinto 0, Baclao 0, Jensen 0, De Ocampo 0.
BLACKWATER 78 – Douthit 19, Heruela 17, Gamalinda 9, Reyes 7, Celiz 6, Bulawan 6, Acuna 6, Faundo 4, Canada 2, Salvacion 2, Timberlake 0, Nuyles 0, Erram 0, Ballesteros 0, Laure 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 50-37, 74-56, 101-78
