GlobalPort opens Commissioner’s Cup with win over KIA

MANILA, Philippines – The GlobalPort Batang Pier (1-0) opened the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 100-89 victory over the KIA Carnival (0-1) on Tuesday evening, January 27, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

Batang Pier import CJ Leslie impressed in his debut game, registering 33 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 4 assists. Rookie of the Year favorite Stanley Pringle finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, and made a number of plays down the stretch that sealed the win for his club.

Second-year star Terrence Romeo opened the second conference with 19 points – most of which coming from open jumpers off his impressive ball-handling skills – 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.

“Actually, honeymoon stage kami nang import… yung locals wala akong problema,” GlobalPort head coach Eric Gonzales said after the game. 

(Actually, we’re still on our honeymoon stage with our import… when it comes to the locals, I don’t have a problem.) 

“Thankful ako nag-deliver [si Leslie].”

(I’m thankful that he delivered.) 

KIA import PJ Ramos didn’t disappoint in his highly-anticipated debut. Doing most of his damage from the post and free throw line, the 7-foot-2 and 3/4 import recorded 41 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks, and went 11-of-13 from the charity stripe. 

Outside of Mark Yee, who put up 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, Ramos didn’t receive much aid from the rest of his teammates. 

“Hindi naman kaming malaking team [na may] malaking player (We’re not a big team with big players). So we need to work hard in the backcourt,” Gonzales said about his Batang Pier, who opened the game forcing turnovers from the opposition thanks to their high-pressure press defense. 

Gonzales admitted the defensive tactic was inspired from the defense the Alaska Aces displayed in their seven-game finals series against the San Miguel Beermen. “Nakakatulong siya (it helps), so why not do it?” he said. 

While Ramos lit up the scoreboard early in the game, his teammates failed to provide the necessary additional firepower. LA Revilla and Reil Cervantes went just 3-of-15 from the field in the first 12 minutes, and ended the game with a combined 15 points on 6-of-30 shooting. 

The Batang Pier extended their lead up to 22 in the second quarter, and maintained their advantage at double figures until midway through the final period. 

A basket by Cervantes cut KIA’s deficit to nine, 90-81. A few possessions later, one of Ramos’ multitude of field goals (15 overall) in the post trimmed the Batang Pier’s edge down to seven, 92-85. 

The bleeding stopped for GlobalPort when Stanley Pringle, who froze Ramos with a hesitation move in the paint, dished a pass to a wide open Jewel Ponferada, who subsequently threw down a dunk. Not long after, Pringle was left open on a fastbreak to seal the game for his club, 96-85. 

The Carnival shot just 38% from the field while GlobalPort hit 51% of their attempts. Constant double and triple teams thrown at Ramos led to open shots from long range for KIA, but they went just 7-of-30 from downtown.  

The Batang Pier scored 18 points off KIA turnovers and outscored them 21-8 in the fastbreak points.  

KIA has now lost 11 straight games in their maiden PBA season. Their last win came on the opening day of the Philippine Cup on October 19 when they beat the Blackwater Elite. 

GlobalPort and KIA will be back in action on Friday, January 30. The Batang Pier will aim to go 2-0 as they go up against the Purefoods Star Hotshots, while the Carnival will aim to snap their losing streak against the Meralco Bolts, who are currently taking on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. 

Scores:

GLOBALPORT 100 – Leslie 33, Romeo 19, Pringle 17, Miranda 8, Semerad 6, Ponferada 5, Isip 4, Nabong 4, Pinto 2, Baclao 2, Buenafe 0, Taha 0, Caperal 0, Jensen 0, De Ocampo 0 

KIA 89 – Ramos 41, Yee 15, Cervantes 8, Ighalo 8, Revilla 7, Buensuceso 6, Sanga 2, Alvarez 2, Thiele 0, Poligrates 0, Padilla 0, Pascual 0, Dehesa 0, Burtscher 0, Custodio 0

Quarter Scores: 32-22, 56-42, 79-67, 100-89 

– Rappler.com