GlobalPort fans quarterfinal push with win over Kia
GLOBALPORT BATANG PIER remained in the hunt for a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Philippine Cup after collaring an important win over also-rans Kia Picanto, 108-91, yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Needing to win its two remaining games in the elimination round of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament to assure itself of a spot in the next round, complication-free, GlobalPort moved halfway that after surviving a late Kia charge to improve to 5-5 and move to joint sixth place in the race to the playoffs.
The Batang Pier fell down early by as much nine points, 134, before pulling themselves back in the game and trimming their deficit to just three points, 26-23, by the end of the first canto.
Building on the momentum of that run, GlobalPort would go on to outscore the Picanto, 2814, in the second quarter to seize control with a 51-40 advantage by the halftime break.
Kia tried to claw its way back further to begin the third period but GlobalPort stood its ground and played scrappy to stay on top of things by the end of the frame, 78-67.
The Picanto remained undeterred and continued to fight back to start the final 12 minutes.
They outscored GlobalPort, 12-4, in the first three minutes to come within three points, 82-79.
Guard Reden Celda gave Kia the lead, 85-84, with six straight points at the 7:58 mark.
Back-to-back triples by Stanley Pringle though established control back for GlobalPort, holding a five-point lead, 90-85, with under seven minutes remaining.
Sean Anthony would further pull the Batang Pier to an even bigger lead, 96-87, as the payoff quarter moved past the halfway point.
GlobalPort held a 100-88 lead entering the last two minutes and just stayed the course en route to the win.
Mr. Anthony and Kelly Nabong finished with 21 points each for the Batang Pier while Mr. Pringle added 15.
Kia, meanwhile, was paced by Mr. Celda’s 20 markers.
The Batang Pier shoot for an assured spot in the quarterfinals when they take on the Phoenix Fuel Masters in their final game of the eliminations on March 2 while Kia finishes its Philippine Cup campaign tomorrow against the San Miguel Beermen. —