In a match of runs and an offensive-themed ball game, the GlobalPort Batang Pier notched its fourth win as they hang on to a 123-120 win over the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters on Friday held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Doug Kramer and Keith Jensen led the charge as GlobalPort erupted on a 10-0 blitz to open up the second period after a very close opening frame. Meanwhile, the second unit of the Tropang Texters struggled to put up points on the board as they were haunted by turnovers. However, the super duo of Ranidel De Ocampo and Jayson Castro once again led their team to an 11-0 counter to make it 37-35 including two triples from the point guard. Both players came off the bench as well.
The second period featured a game of runs with the reinsertion of Terrence Romeo, who propelled the Batang Pier to once again pull themselves against the Texters. With trigger-happy Romeo feeling it, he pulled up off a crossover and nailed a tough trey to make it 48-37. On the other end, GlobalPort also played good defense while thwarting TNT’s bigs to make their presence underneath. Although in the last four minutes of the half, TNT used an 15-8 run of their own led by Sam Daghles to make it a four point game, still in favor of the Batang Pier at the half.
After 24 minutes, Pettigrew already committed four turnovers out of TNT’s 12. GlobalPort scored 17 markers out of it, consequently ending the half shooting a stellar 52% clip from the field.
Stanley Pringle scored his squad’s five points that was answered by Pettigrew’s interior buckets. The largest lead of the first half of the third quarter was three as the lead changed and deadlocks started to pile up for the two teams. Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and Steffphon Petigrew made back-to-back jumpers from the perimeter to give their team an 83-80 lead. However, GlobalPort answered with a 19-8 close out to the third quarter with Famous scoring eight points and also dished out key assists to his teammates to aid his team enter the fourth up by 8.
In the fourth, the scoring game was still on point for the two teams but Famous started it out with two baskets to extend their lead to double digits. But again, a 14-4 response was put up by TNT with Kelly Williams, Ranidel De Ocampo and Jayson Castro combining to make it a one-point game. Fast forward to the final minutes after offensive exchanges, Stanley Pringle scored anew to make it 121-116 for his squad.
GlobalPort failed to convert in the next minute as TNT scored four more with 46 seconds to play. After another stop, Daghles missed a potential lead-giving basket for the Texters while Pringle knocked down two cold-blooded free throws to make it 123-120. Talk ‘N Text called for a quick ceasefire with 11 seconds to play that drew up play for Castro from the corner. The Texters responded but Castro failed to convert on two attempts from the left corner that gave the Batang Pier the escape for the victory.
The fast-paced ball game ended up with GlobalPort shooting 54% while Talk ‘N Text had 50%. Jarrid Famous top scored the Texters with 27 markers on 13 of 16 shooting, while also grabbing 18 rebounds and blocking three shots. Pringle tallied 23 points and five assists for Batang Pier, who is now tied with San Miguel with a 4-2 record.
On the other hand, Pettigrew and Castro combined for 69 points. Daghles chipped in 19 markers for TNT, who drops to a 3-2 slate.
Talk ‘N Text will next face Meralco on June 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena. On the other hand, GlobalPort faces Ginebra next day, still at the MoA Arena.
The Scores:
GlobalPort(123) – Famous 27, Pringle 23, Romeo 20, Kramer 10, Buenafe 9, Jensen 9, Semerad 7, Hayes 4, Mamaril 0, Isip 0
Talk ‘N Text(120) – Pettigrew 35, Castro 34, De Ocampo 10, Fonacier 7, Carey 6, Williams 4, Washington 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Seigle 0
Quarters: 27-24, 58-54, 99-91, 123-120
