After suffering a 128-114 loss in their debut, the GlobalPort Batang Pier withstood a late-game rally by the Meralco Bolts, 86-85, to earn their first victory in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“I’ll take it. A win is a win,” said Batang Pier head coach Jarencio. as they were able to eke out a win even without Mo Tautuaa, who was serving a one-game suspension.
Both squads now sport identical 1-1 cards with the result.
Reinforcement Malcolm White led the Batang Pier with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Stanley Pringle produced 17 points and seven boards, while Sean Anthony chipped in 15 markers and seven caroms as well.
The Batang Pier were already resting on a comfortable 77-69 cushion with 6:24 to go thanks to a 24-8 rally abridging the third and fourth quarters, but the Bolts were awakened and went on an 11-4 tear to close within one, 80-81, 1:18 left.
White made it 83-80 with a point-blank shot, but Chris Newsome replied on the other end to inch Meralco ahead by a point once more, 82-83, with 42.3 seconds remaining.
A glimmer of hope shone on the Bolts later on, as Pringle missed his lay-up. Anjo Caram was able to grab the miss, but his hero moment was immediately washed away as he committed a turnover — stepping outside — with 17 ticks to go.
The Bolts were given another chance after that, after Pringle split his freebies in the 14.3-second mark. Jared Dillinger, however, wasted the opportunity, as his triple off a screen with seven seconds left went airball.
Pringle then made up for his split earlier by going perfect from the line with less than three seconds left to play to seal the victory for the Batang Pier.
“We’re struggling, especially Stanley kasi may nararamdaman siyang injury. Buti ngayon naka-pick up siya nung fourth quarter,” lauded Jarencio of Pringle, who had 13 points in the fourth quarter alone.
Niño Cañaleta powered the Bolts with 28 points on seven triples. Import Arinze Onuaku had 21 points and 14 rebounds along with three assists and two steals in over 44 minutes, to provide the lone support for Cañaleta.
Globalport will next face the Blackwater Eliteon May 2, Wednesday, 4:30 PM at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Meralco, on the other hand, will battle sister team NLEX Road Warriors next Friday, May 4, 7:00 PM still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Globalport 86 — White 27, Pringle 17, Anthony 15, Araña 7, Nabong 6, Grey 5, Teng 3, Elorde 2, Gabayni 2, Viernes 2, Guinto 0, Sargent 0.
Meralco 85 — Cañaleta 28, Onuaku 21, Caram 9, Newsome 9, Amer 8, Hodge 6, Hugnatan 2, Salva 2, Dillinger 0, Sedurifa 0.
Quarterscores: 23-25, 45-44, 63-65, 86-85.
