The new-look Globalport Batang Pier have just earned one of their biggest wins in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup, wielding the upset axe on league leaders Meralco Bolts, 94-86, Wednesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The victory helped Globalport improve their card to 3-6 to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the playoff-bound Meralco dropped to 7-2.
New reinforcement Justin Harper, who just arrived this morning, quickly made his presence felt with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting alongside nine boards and three blocks in 42 minutes. However, he committed eight turnovers.
“What we needed is somebody that can give us a new dimension in the game,” said Globalport head coach Franz Pumaren regarding Harper, a former NBA cager who saw action with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Trailing by a solitary point, 81-80, with 5:04 in the payoff period, the Batang Pier sprinted to an 11-5 run sealed by Stanley Pringle’s high-arching lay-up off the glass to take the driver’s seat, 91-86, with 35.9 ticks left to play.
Meralco tried to race back, but their shots missed their targets. Free throws by Sean Anthony and Harper in the waning seconds were enough to keep the Bolts away, as they came away with the much-needed eight-point victory.
Globalport also received fair contributions from new acquisitions via four-team trade last Saturday in Anthony, Bradwyn Guinto, and Jonathan Grey, as they produced 18, eight, and three points, respectively.
“The new players helped us. I personally chose them because they are the players that we need,” shared Pumaren.
Pringle finished with 16 markers, while Mike Cortez added 13.
The Bolts were led by Alex Stepheson with 19 points and 27 rebounds. Frontcourt partner Justin Chua supplied 16 markers, while Jared Dillinger made 14 points spiked by four triples. Baser Amer contributed 11.
The Batang Pier clearly dominated the paint, as they outscored the Bolts 46-30. However, they committed 22 turnovers, which Meralco converted to 20 points.
Globalport will try to post another win against Rain or Shine on May 26, Friday, 4:15 PM at the Cuneta Astrodome. Meralco, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back versus Star on May 24, Wednesday, 7:00 PM at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Globalport (94) – Harper 30, Anthony 18, Pringle 16, Cortez 13, Guinto 8, Grey 3, Pessumal 2, Paredes 2, Mamaril 2, Forrester 0, Urbiztondo 0.
Meralco (86) – Stepheson 19, Chua 16, Dillinger 14, Amer 11, Newsome 8, Uyloan 6, Daquioag 2, Hodge 2, Yeo 2, Caram 2, Hugnatan 2, Nabong 2, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-25, 43-42, 61-65, 94-86.
