GlobalPort withstands Kia challenge to even slate

Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony played the role of heroes come the home stretch and saved the GlobalPort Batang Pier from a furious Kia Picanto hijack, 108-91, Wednesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Filipino-American tandem combined for 13 of the team’s 24 points in the final 7:39 to help the Batang Pier regain the lead and earn a victory, to further improve their chances of qualifying into the 2018 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

“Actually, it’s a total team effort,” said GlobalPort head coach Pido Jarencio. “Yung team gusto talaga pumasok sa quarters. I think we’re in 7 or 8, siguro yun. Focus tayo sa Phoenix game and tignan natin kung ano mangyayari.”

The Batang Pier have improved to 5-5 and tied with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. The Picanto dropped to 1-9.

Anthony had 21 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, while Pringle finished with 15 points, eight boards, five assists, and two steals. Kelly Nabong produced a double-double of 21 markers and 13 caroms along with five blocks.

The Batang Pier entered the fourth quarter with an 11-point edge, but lost hold of the advantage as the Picanto rallied with a 16-6 spree — with the last six points courtesy of Reden Celda — to snatch the lead, 85-84, with 7:58 on the clock.

However, the Pringle-Anthony connection clicked. Pringle’s back-to-back threes, and Anthony’s two splits and an and-one, powered GlobalPort’s 14-2 run to steady the ship, 98-87, and cruise smoothly en route to the 17-point triumph.

Rookie Julian Sargent had himself a night, as he chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, and four dimes for GlobalPort.

Celda led the Picanto with 20 markers and five assists. Rookie Jon Gabriel had another solid outing with 17 points and 11 boards; Rashawn McCarthy made 14 points, six caroms, and six feeds; and Eric Camson had 12 and 10.

GlobalPort’s match with the Phoenix Fuel Masters will be on March 2, Friday at 4:30 PM. Kia will next face defending champions San Miguel Beermen this Friday, February 23, at 7:00 PM. Both games are still at the Big Dome.

The Scores:

GlobalPort 108 – Nabong 21, Anthony 21, Pringle 15, Sargent 12, Teng 7, Grey 6, Flores 6, Gabayni 6, Guinto 6, Juico 4, Elorde 2, Arana 2, Taha 0

Kia 91 – Celda 20, Gabriel 17, McCarthy 14, Camson 12, Jamon 9, Corpuz 5, Tubid 5, Sara 4, Cabrera 2, Yee 0, Lastimosa 0, Galanza 0, Escoto 0, Khobuntin 0, Ababou 0

Quarterscores: 23-26, 51-40, 78-67, 108-91