A 17-point deficit wasn’t much of a problem for the GlobalPort Batang Pier, as they overcame that deep hole to surprise the Magnolia Hotshots, 83-80, in their PBA preseason match-up Thursday at the Claret School in Quezon City.
With Terrence Romeo still unavailable for duty due to his knee therapy, Stanley Pringle took over GlobalPort’s scoring cudgels with 18 points — six of which came from down the stretch — on top of 10 assists and five rebounds.
After trailing by as much as 17, 20-37, with about seven minutes in the second quarter, the Batang Pier made a strong push in the second half and eventually snatched the lead, 74-72, after Pringle’s triple with 4:35 in the final frame.
But the Hotshots retaliated and engaged in an exchange of buckets with GlobalPort. Mark Barroca’s basket in response to Ryan Araña’s triple from the other end tied things up at 77 with just 2:03 remaining.
Magnolia had chances to take the lead, but they failed to sustain their attack afterwards. A Kelly Nabong three-pointer and another Pringle deuce halted their run, and gave the Batang Pier an 82-77 cushion with 1:02 left to play.
Aldrech Ramos tried to spark one last run for the Hotshots with his triple, but Pringle’s split from the foul line and a missed game-tying trey — also by Ramos — put an end to the bout and sealed the victory for the Batang Pier.
Araña finished with 16 points for GlobalPort. Nabong, whom they had acquired from the free agency pool in the off-season, also made his presence felt for his new team, as he supplied 14 markers and six rebounds.
Ramos led Magnolia with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Barroca and Ian Sangalang scored 14 apiece.
The Scores:
GlobalPort (83) – Pringle 18, Araña 16, Nabong 14, Sargent 9, Grey 8, Guinto 6, Elorde 4, Flores 4, Cahilig 2, Juico 2, Gabayni 0.
Magnolia (80) – Ramos 15, Barroca 14, Sangalang 14, Pascual 6, Dela Rosa 5, Herndon 5, Gamalinda 5, Simon 4, Brondial 4, Abundo 3, Melton 3, Pingris 2.
