Terrence Romeo has been consistent all throughout the 2015-16 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round.
The blonde-haired assassin continued his hot run even on a holiday as the GlobalPort Batang Pier became the first team to advance to the second phase of the PBA Quarterfinals after taking care of business against the Barako Bull Energy Cola, 94-85, held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The PBA holiday treat started off with a sizzling start by Barako Bull. Triples by Mick Pennisi and Josh Urbiztondo led them to an early 11-5 lead. Notwithstanding the hot sniping from the perimeter by Energy, GlobalPort managed to tie things up at 16 due to Keith Jensen getting it done early. However, Barako finished the opening stanza on a 9-5 spree, while limiting Global to only a single field goal in the last five minutes.
The Batang Pier stayed within Barako’s tempo to make the score tight in spite of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle’s struggles from the floor. Urbiztondo scored his team’s last three points in addition to a triple by Jeric Fortuna that gave Energy a seven point lead at the break.
After the halftime break, Romeo erupted for two quick triples that propelled GlobalPort to tie the game for the first time at 49, three minutes into the new half. Romeo went unconscious in the quarter, going berserk that powered Batang Pier to an 18-1 spree in the middle of the quarter. A triple by JC Intal and free throws by Brondial sliced the lead to four. Unfortunately, Roi Sumang capped the impressive third quarter by Global, scoring his team’s last six points of the frame.
The trio of Pringle, Washington, and Romeo combined for the early punches in the fourth quarter to extend their lead. As things get physical, Jensen was ejected for a flagrant two foul to help Barako slice the lead down to four. Afterwards, Romeo knocked down back-to-back treys that lifted an 11-2 run, which served to be the game-deciding rally down the stretch.
Romeo finished with 33 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in an all-around performance in the second half. He shot 12/29 from the floor, half of which were made from three-point territory. Pringle added a massive 15 point, 13-rebound effort.
For Barako Bull, four players scored in double-figures with Willie Wilson leading the way with a 15-point, 10-rebound outing. The backcourt tandem of Monfort and Urbiztondo scored 12 apiece while Intal added 11 markers.
As a team, GlobalPort shot 39% from the field compared to just 30% by Barako Bull. The high-shooting clip staved off the discrepancy of foul shots taken by both squads with Barako shooting 23/32 from the stripe while the victors were 14/24. Moreover, the Green and Black squad were able to assists in all but four of their field goals made.
GlobalPort will next face the winner of the Star-Ginebra series.
The Scores:
GlobalPort (94) – Romeo 33, Pringle 15, Washington 9, Mamaril 8, Jensen 7, Sumang 6, Yeo 6, Kramer 4, Maierhofer 4, Semerad 2, Uyloan 0, Hayes 0, Isip 0.
Barako Bull (85) – Wilson 15, Urbiztondo 12, Monfort 12, Intal 11, Pennisi 9, Baracael 8, Brondial 8,Fortuna 4, Lanete 4, Sorongon 2.
Quarterscores: 21-25, 41-48, 69-64, 94-85.
