PBA: Butch, Meralco survive late rally to keep GlobalPort winless

MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts held off a late rally from GlobalPort to keep the Batang Pier winless after a 104-99 finish in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday, March 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meralco import Brian Butch had an electric performance pouring in a game-high 42 points along with 24 rebounds on 6/11 shooting from the three-point area including the go-ahead trey that broke the tie and gave the Bolts the lead for good with 46 seconds left in the game.

Butch was brilliant all game long already tallying a double-double by halftime with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Gary David, Anjo Caram, Reynel Hugnatan, and John Wilson all contributed at least 8 points to provide the local support needed to keep GlobalPort from notching their first win in the tournament.

GlobalPort started to make a run with over 5 minutes left in the game. The Batang Pier put the pressure on Meralco after rookie Terrence Romeo dished the ball to import Evan Brock for an emphatic slam. Brock followed it up with a strong drive to the hoop to cut the deficit to two, 87-89.

Brock continued to carry Batang Pier connecting with big man Jewel Ponferrada for a score down low. Brock knotted the game at 97 on the free throw line with 1:26 remaining but that was the closest GlobalPort was gonna get.

Brock finished the game with 32 points. He also had plenty of help from sensational rookie Terrence Romeo who poured in 21 points but it wasn’t enough to give Pido Jarencio his first win as a PBA head coach.

The Scores:

Meralco (104) – Butch 42, David 16, Caram 9, Hugnatan 9, Wilson 8, Mandani 6, Hodge 6, Ildefonso 5, Guevarra 3, Al-Hussaini 0, Artadi 0.

Globalport (99) – Brock 32, Romeo 21, Ponferrada 10, salvador 6, Custodio 6, Washington 5, Macapagal 5, Salva 4, Yee 3, Cabagnot 3, Nabong 2, Garcia 2, Chua 0.

Quarters: 27-28; 56-41, 84-74, 104-99