Batang Pier shock Tropang Texters
Game Today (Angeles University gym, Pampanga) 5 p.m. – Kia vs Star
Keith Jensen hit two huge 3-point shots in the fourth quarter and Globalport survived consecutive attempts from beyond the arc by Jayson Castro before the buzzer as Globalport stunned Talk ‘N Text, 123-120, last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Globalport coach Pido Jarencio, in mourning over the death of their eldest brother last Monday, dedicated the hardearned win to his sibling and his family.
It was the Batang Pier’s third victory, snapping a two-game losing slide and tying the Meralco Bolts on 3-3 slates at sixth place. TNT , looking to share leadership with Alaska and Barako Bull, fell to 4-2 in a tie for third place with San Miguel Beer. The Tropang Texters had won their last two games.
Jarrid Famous attacked relentlessly from the post for 27 points with 18 rebounds, helping the Batang Pier open a 108-95 lead in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer by Omar Krayem. But Steffphon Pettigrew had 11 of his 35 points in the last period and Castro 7 of his 34 as TNT roared back, with Stanley Pringle icing the win with a clutch putback and two free throws.
In the first game, Meralco routed Blackwater, 87-72, overcoming a 12point deficit in the second quarter.
The Bolts leveled with a 3-3 winloss card, right in the middle of the field, while the Elite, who are set to lose import Marcus Douthit next week when the Southeast Asian Games commences in Singapore, fell to 1-5 and are now almost assured of claiming the No. 1 pick in the August Rookie Draft.
Douthit’s mind must have already been preoccupied with the SEA Games where he will reinforce the Philippine team that will defend its long reign in the regional meet. He had 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 free throw in 32:57 and was pulled out with 4 minutes remaining after Seiya Ando, the Bolts’ Japanese import, hit a pick ‘n roll jumper in front of him and drove past in the next play.
Andre Emmett led Meralco with 17 and 12 rebounds while Gary David added 16 with 2 3-pointers, pouring 9 points in the third quarter when Meralco completed a comeback from 24-12 to enter the fourth quarter with a 63-56 lead.
Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Chito Salud fined Barako Bull forward Rico Maierhofer a whopping P20,000 for using his shoe, which came off during the play, to deny a shot by Alaska’s Gabby Espinas in their game last Wednesday.
While the rare act appeared comical, even harmless, with the referees unsure of what to make of it and letting it go, Salud deemed otherwise and handed down the stiff sanction for the “blatant misconduct that disrespects/ mocks the game and (which is) unprofessional in nature.”
BLACKWATER 72 –