GlobalPort bumps Kia, gains playoff

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Kia 7 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Alaska

GlobalPort quickly recovered after blowing 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 the Batang Pier came through with a fiery 24-6 closing flurry to salvage the victory and climb back to joint sixth place with the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings at 5-5.

GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio later expressed hope they would 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 twiceto-beat edge.

“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.”

Behind Reden Celda, Jon Jon Gabriel and Jan Jamon, the Picanto erased an 11-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter and grabbed an 85-84 lead.

But they seemed to hit the wall after that as they fell behind by a big margin again and eventually reeled to their ninth loss against a lone 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.

Later in the night, Blackwater also banked on a crucial closing salvo to get past Phoenix Petroleum, 83-78, and seize solo eighth place at 5-6.

Phoenix dropped to joint ninth with TNT KaTropa and Meralco at 4-6. These three teams need to win their closing game for a possible playoff shot at the eighth quarters slot.

The scores: GLOBALPORT 108 – Nabong 21, Anthony 21, Pringle 15, Sargent 12, Teng 7, Grey 6, Flores 6, Gabayni 6, Guinto 6, Juico 4, Elorde 2, Arana 2, Taha 0

KIA 91 – Celda 20, Gabriel 17, McCarthy 14, Camson 12, Jamon 9, Corpuz 5, Tubid 5, Sara 4, Cabrera 2, Yee 0, Lastimosa 0, Galanza 0, Escoto 0, Khobuntin 0, Ababou 0 Quarterscores: 23-26, 51-40, 78-67, 108-91 Second Game BLACKWATER 83 – Belo 14, Jose 14, DiGregorio 14, Sumang 12, Erram 12, Pinto 5, Sena 4, Palma 4, Cortez 3, Cruz 1, Marcelo 0.

PHOENIX 78 – Perkins 17, Chan 13, Jazul 13, Kramer 11, Alolino 10, Chua 6, Mendoza 6, Dehesa 2, Gamboa 0, Intal 0, Eriobu 0, Wilson 0.

Quarterscores: 14-19, 40-41, 65-65, 83-78