Terrence Romeo and the Globalport Batang Pier found their rhythm early and never looked back, blasting the NLEX Road Warriors, 110-96, Friday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The win extends Globalport’s winning streak to two games, upping their slate to 5-2. NLEX drop to the bottom once more at 2-6.
“At least, slowly, the are maturing. I must admit that I did not give them a free reign but in the last two games, I made sure that we take charge,” Globalport head coach Franz Pumaren shared.
The league’s leading scorer, Terrence Romeo, torched the Road Warriors right from the get go. Romeo, who is averaging 27.0 points per game, scored 22 of his game-high 32 points in the first half of the game. He sizzled during the first half, knocking down 6 of his 8 attempts from distance.
And when NLEX were able to slice the lead down to five, 54-59, early in the third frame, it was Stanley Pringle who made sure that they would sustain the momentum — scoring 10 points in the third quarter. Pringle added 20 markers on 8-for-12 shooting to go along with five rebounds and seven dimes.
“At least this is a positive for us. The players have accepted their roles that’s why we are giving extending minutes to rest Terrence and Stanley,” Pumaren added.
The troika of Papot Paredes, Mike Cortez, and Josh Urbiztondo helped extend the Batang Pier’s lead to a game-high 21 points, 82-61, after a triple by Urbiztondo with 39 ticks remaining in the third frame.
NLEX tried to rally back in the final frame, cutting the lead to as low as eight, 86-94, after three straight triples by Garvo Lanete, Eric Camson, and Kevin Alas. However, JR Quinahan and Paredes were able to power their way into the paint to restore order and seal the win for Globalport.
Quinahan had 18 points and seven rebounds, while Paredes added 13 points on an efficient 7-of-11 clip.
“Papot Paredes played well today but we are going to miss him against San Miguel because he is getting married on Saturday,” Pumaren lamented.
Globalport shot a blistering 52 percent from the field in the game, going 13-31 from distance. NLEX shot a dismal 40 percent. Moreover, the Batang Pier bigs were able to will their way inside, as 50 of their points came from inside the paint.
The Globalport Batang Pier (5-3) will have an eight-day break before facing the San Miguel Beermen (7-1) on Saturday, January 21 in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu. The NLEX Road Warriors (2-6), on the other hand, take on the Phoenix Fuel Masters (4-4) on Wednesday, January 18 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Scores:
Globalport (110) – Romeo 32, Pringle 20, Quinahan 18, Paredes 13, Pessumal 10, Canaleta 6, Cortez 4, Aban 4, Urbiztondo 3, Saitanan 0, Maierhofer 0, Mamaril 0.
NLEX (96) – Lastimosa 19, Alas 16, Anthony 16, Guinto 13, Camson 9, Lanete 9, Soyud 5, E. Villanueva 4, Baracael 2, Monfort 2, Rios 1, J. Villanueva 0, Taulava 0, Gotladera 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 50-38, 82-65, 110-96.
