The GlobalPort Batang Pier used a 108-80 demolishing wire-to-wire win against the NLEX Road Warriors to improve their standing approaching the last two weeks of elimination games held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday evening.
The Batang Pier had a fiery start to the ballgame as they built an early cushion at 13-3 within six minutes of action. This early gap dictated the theme of the ball game as GlobalPort used their fast-paced offense against the NLEX squad, who came off a tough defeat against Rain or Shine the other night. Despite several turnovers from their reinforcement and Terrence Romeo having a hard time finding the mark, they were able to double their opponent’s output, 26-13 at the end of the opening quarter.
Jonas Villanueva chipped in the first three points of the second period but the head start was quickly thwarted by a Stanley Pringle triple. Romeo and Jarred Famous added more to their lead with their respective jump shots to make it a 34-16 match. The Road Warriors salvaged up some points while limiting the Batang Pier to two points in the next four minutes of action.
However, despite Kwame Alexander’s productive presence underneath, the usual core of Romeo and their two imports were intact in putting up the points in the late part of the first half. At the end of two quarters, the Batang Pier squad was still up by 14 and looked different compared to their previous two losses.
In the third frame, Asi Taulava tried to initiate a fightback for his troupe as he made his team’s first six points. However, NLEX had a tough time containing the transition offense of the Batang Pier with Doug Kramer putting up points on the board. In the middle part of the period, Taulava scored on a jumper to make it a 58-49 match and capped a mini 7-0 response. But it would be the Road Warriors’ closest margin to pull within through as they would get pounded from that point.
NLEX eventually outscored GlobalPort, 26-23 during the third quarter but this triggered the Batang Pier to put on an outstanding fourth quarter offensive outburst. A quick 5-0 start to the final period left the NLEX squad trailing behind. With turnovers and perimeter misses starting to haunt the Road Warriors in the final 12 minutes of action, Batang Pier took advantage and increased their lead to an insurmountable one. The lead ballooned to as high as 30 points for three times excluding the final score.
Batang Pier shot a close to 48% compared to NLEX’s 40% clip. They also got majority of the rebounds, 48-39 and had more second chance points, 16-8. Famous had an impressive outing finishing with 30 points, 24 rebounds, four assists, two steals and three rejections. Romeo added 22 including three triples. Taulava spearheaded the losing Road Warriors team with 23 points on another efficient 10-of-13 shooting from the field.
GlobalPort snapped their two-game skid and are now holding a 5-4 record. Meanwhile, NLEX drops its third straight defeat and slides to a 2-7 slate.
GlobalPort will next face the Kia Carnival on Sunday, 3pm at the Big Dome. On the other hand, NLEX will take a week-long break and will battle the Blackwater Elites, 7pm on June 19.
The Scores:
GlobalPort(108) – Famous 30, Romeo 22, Krayem 19, Pringle 9, Kramer 7, Buenafe 6, Taha 4, Miranda 4, Semerad 3, Mamaril 2, Jensen 2, Isip 0, Ponferada 0, Caperal 0, Hayes 0
NLEX(80) – Taulava 23, Alexander 14, Madanly 12, Villanueva J.8, Cardona 5, Villanueva E.3, Baloria 3, Canaleta 2, Wilson 2, Raymundo 2, Camson 2, Ramos 2, Arboleda W.0, Arboleda H.0, Borboran 0
Quarters: 26-13, 47-33, 70-59, 108-80
