Stanley Pringle steadied the ship for GlobalPort Batang Pier in the payoff period to steer his side to their breakthrough win at the expense of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 78-70, Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Pringle, who had 23 points and 10 dimes last Sunday in a loss to Ginebra, scored nine of his 29 points in the final frame to ward off any Elasto Painters comeback attempt and help the Batang Pier improve its’ win-loss record to 1-2.
“The players talaga wanted to play. Gusto nila manalo today,” praised a beaming GlobalPort head coach Pido Jarencio. “It was a team effort, and at the same time, yung breaks of the game nakuha namin.”
GlobalPort’s win was actually put in danger due to Rain or Shine’s ability to comeback. The latter stormed back from nine points down and knocked within five, 65-70, after Gabe Norwood’s corner trey with 3:30 remaining in the fourth.
But the Batang Pier did not crumble and instead held on to weather such, as back-to-back close shots by Pringle and Bradwyn Guinto reestablished the nine-point wall, 74-65, with 2:46 left to play, to put the game away for good.
Pringle, who also had nine boards to his name, received ample support from Kelly Nabong with 12 markers and 13 boards. Guinto also made his presence felt in the victory with 10 points and nine caroms in 33 minutes of playing time.
Sean Anthony had a rare double-double with 13 rebounds and 12 assists. He is the first player to achieve this in the last seven years.
Norwood had 15 points, eight rebounds, and three dimes for Rain or Shine, who missed the services of main point guard Chris Tiu due to injury. Mark Borboran and Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
GlobalPort will look to even their card against Blackwater on January 19, Friday, 4:30 PM at Cuneta Astrodome, while RoS will aim to end their skid versus Phoenix on January 17, Wednesday, 4:30 PM at SMART Araneta Coliseum
The Scores:
Globalport 78 – Pringle 29, Nabong 12, Guinto 10, Grey 8, Sargent 8, Gabayni 4, Anthony 3, Flores 2, Elorde 2, Arana 0, Juico 0, Taha 0.
Rain or Shine 70 – Norwood 15, Borboran 13, Ahanmisi 10, Belga 8, Nambatac 6, Yap 5, Ponferrada 3, Daquioag 3, Trollano 3, Almazan 2, Maiquez 2,
Quarterscores: 19-18, 41-35, 58-56, 78-70.
