GlobalPort squeaks by NLEX to end drought

MANILA, Philippines – It took 5 games but the GlobalPort Batang Pier finally punched in a victory in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, barely escaping the equally win-starved NLEX Road Warriors, 85-82, on Wednesday, April 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Malcom White paced the Batang Pier with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Guard Stanley Pringle registered 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win while Terrence Romeo chipped in 12 markers and 5 dimes.

“Very emotional for our team because they really worked hard for this,” said coach Eric Reyes. “Two days ago we saw in their eyes they were pushing each other and then coach Senen Duenas, ‘yung nangyari sa kanya (what happened to him), he was very close to each one of us.”

Duenas, the longtime University of Santo Tomas assistant coach who also assisted GlobalPort, passed away on Wednesday morning. According to The Varsitarian, UST’s official publication, he died due to complications from surgery at 52 years old.

The Batang Pier escaped with the win inside the final minute, after White knocked down a shot to break the 80-all deadlock with 24 seconds remaining.

A Raul Soyud putback with 7 seconds made it a one-point game for NLEX but Pringle finished off the victory with two free throws.

Wayne Chism, whose 3-pointer tied the game at 80, produced 29 points with 14 rebounds and two steals.

Soyud added 12 markers as the Road Warriors remained winless in 6 games.

Scores: 

GlobalPort (85): White 23, Pringle 15, Romeo 12, Ababou 8, Cortez 8, Pessumal 8, Quinahan 5, Mamaril 4, Maierhofer 2, Forrester 0, Paredes 0, Aban 0, Pennisi 0. 

NLEX (82): Chism 29, Soyud 12, Rios 7, Monfort 6, J. Villanueva 5, Tiongson 5, Guinto 4, Al-Hussaini 3, Taulava 3, Anthony 3, Khobuntin 2, Baracael 2, Alas 1, Lastimosa 0, Lanete 0. 

Quarter scores: 21-25, 49-46, 71-64, 85-82.

– Rappler.com