With Terrence Romeo still in Beirut, Lebanon for the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, Stanley Pringle, Murphey Holloway, and the rest of the Globalport Batang Pier took care of business, adding to the struggles of the Kia Picanto, 102-90, Sunday evening at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The win lifted Globalport’s record to an even 2-2 slate, while Kia fell to a nightmarish 0-7 record.
But it was a tough outing for the Batang Pier, especially coming off a 20-day break and with many of their newest recruits playing for the first time.
“That was a hard game for us. Not trying to use any excuse, but you can see that the three week-layoff was hard on our part, a bit sluggish in a way that we were rushing things, maybe we were just too excited to play,” Globalport head coach Franz Pumaren said.
Pringle finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Halloway finished with a strong double-double with 29 points and 18 rebounds.
Sparked by Mike Cortez, Globalport went on an 18-4 rally that bridged the third and fourth quarter to gain an 85-69 lead early in the final frame.
The Picanto, though eliminated, gave the Batang Pier a scare by going on a late rally that sliced the lead to just six, 96-90, after a Reden Celda jumper with 54 ticks left. But a dunk by Holloway four seconds later sucked the momentum out of the upset seeking-KIA.
“As you all know, Kia is already out and the way they’re playing is there’s no pressure at all. I think we’re still adjusting to our new players,” added Pumaren.
Mac Baracael, who had been traded to Globalport last Tuesday, added 13 points in 24 minutes. Sean Anthony grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench.
Globalport contained the entire Picanto team, except for Markeith Cummings, as the Kia import tallied a game-high 37 points.
Globalport will next face the San Miguel Beermen on Friday, August 25, at 7:00pm. KIA, on the other hand, will have a long break before taking on the Blackwater Elite on Friday, September 1, at 4:15pm. The former will be played at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum, while the latter will be hosted by the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The Scores:
Globalport 102 – Holloway 29, Pringle 21, Baracael 13, Cortez 10, Anthony 8, Pennisi 6, Arana 6, Guinto 5, Hubalde 4, Celiz 0, Grey 0, Forrester 0.
Kia 90 – Cummings 37, Celda 15, Elorde 9, Camson 9, Paniamogan 6, Revilla 6, Salva 4, Caperal 2, Jaime 2, Corpuz 0, Ballesteros 0, Khobuntin 0, Yee 0, Deutchman 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 49-48, 74-69, 102-90.
