Pringle sizzles as Batang Pier adds to Mahindra's woes
GlobalPort stopped its bleeding, fashioning out an important 105-86 demolition of Mahindra to stay right behind eighth-running Phoenix Petroleum.
Stanley Pringle delivered a game-high 24 points and a number of GlobalPort reserves stepped up, allowing coach Franz Pumaren the luxury of resting Terrence Romeo in their complete domination of Mahindra en route to a second win in seven outings.
The Batang Pier, however, stayed outside the Top Eight. They play the Fuel Masters in a critical matchup on May 5.
The Floodbuster, meanwhile, fell deeper down the leaderboard at 1-7.
“We can’t afford any mistake. We have to continue playing good basketball. The best outlook is to concentrate on each game,” said GlobalPort coach Franz Pumaren.
In their decisive win over Mahindra, Pumaren gave credit to their reserves and to Romeo who suited up although down with a bum stomach the previous day.
“At this stage in his career especially as he’s with Gilas, it’s too risky to use him when he’s not 100 percent,” said Pumaren.
Kept on the bench, Romeo still played a role, serving as a motivator to his teammates.
Malcolm White piled up 16 points and 17 rebounds while rookie Von Pessumal, Mike Cortez, JR Quinahan and Aaron Aban chipped in double-digit outputs as they more than made up for the absence of Romeo.
The Batang Pier led by 25, 78-53, at the end of the third and widened the gap to 31, 92-61, early in the fourth before cruising to the key win.
Make yourself at home.—