Crucial win for Batang Pier
GlobalPort quickly recovered after blowing away a 19-point bulge and hurdled Kia, 108-91, to assure itself of at least a playoff shot at the last quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Stanley Pringle, Sean Anthony and Julian Sargent led the way as GlobalPort came through with a fiery 24-6 closing flurry to salvage the game and thus climb back to joint sixth place Barangay Ginebra at 5-5.
GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio later expressed hope they win their last game against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on March 2 to seal a Top Six finish and avoid a quarters matchup versus a team with a twice-to-beat advantage.
“We’ll be completely focused on that game. Whatever happens in the next games, we’ll be ready for our last game against Phoenix,” said Jarencio. “We’re out of the playoffs last conference. Our players are determined to make it back there.”
Through the efforts of Reden Celda, Jon Jon Gabriel and Jan Jamon, the Picanto erased an 11-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter and raced ahead at 85-84.
The Picanto seemed to hit the wall after that, though, as they fell behind by a big margin again and eventually reeled to their ninth loss against a win.
Pringle rifled in a three-pointer then scored on a drive to ignite a 14-2 counterattack that restored control for the Batang Pier.
“They (the Picanto) hit a good rhythm, but we’re able to turn the momentum around through a total team effort,” said Jarencio.
Kelly Nabong stood at the forefront of GlobalPort’s drive early on, and the 6-foot-6 center finished with a double-double game with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Anthony also wound up with 21 markers that went on top of eight boards, four steals and two assists.
Pringle ended up with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals while Sargent was a fourth GlobalPort player to finish in double figures with 12 points.—