Globalport survives Alaska’s late fightback

Quickly learning a lesson from their first loss against Barangay Ginebra, the Batang Pier played a more consistent game and hung on until the final buzzer to deal the Alaska Aces its first loss in two games, 95-91, on Friday, May 23 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Coach Pido Jarencio’s wards barely dipped throughout the game, and when they did they made sure there was enough cushion for them to fall back on.  

Starting strong right away for a 48-34 halftime advantage, Globalport’s lowest production came at 18 points in the third, when the Aces managed to trim the deficit to 66-62 heading into the fourth.  

But Globalport, now flanked once again by rookie Terrence Romeo, who was elevated from the injured list, did not falter for most of the payoff period. 

Even as JVee Casio (16 points, 4-of-6 three-point shooting) buried a trey barely 4 minutes left in the game to inch to within 77-73, the Batang Pier maintained their composure and scored 8 straight points on a Jay Washington triple, a Leroy Hickerson breakaway jam, and 3 charities by Alex Cabagnot, 85-73.  

Globalport kept the Aces at a safe distance away from them after that. 

Alaska knew the game was lost with less than 30 seconds remaining and they were still down 93-84. 

But keeping in mind the quotient system that would ultimately serve as tie-breakers in the standings come playoff time, Alaska still scratched and clawed to close the gap of the final score. 

And in their attempt to do so, found themselves in a position to steal the win away from Globalport as Calvin Abueva scored 4 quick consecutive points to make it just a 5-point game, 93-88, with still a lot of time left at 22.4 ticks.  

Alaska import William Henry Walker, who finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals, swished in a triple from way out with 11.8 seconds remaining to make it 94-91.  

Globalport endured the scare in the final 10 seconds as they muffed 3 out of their last 4 free throws but still emerged victorious once the dust settled – displaying their learned and more matured side. 

“Actually against Ginebra nung first half parang ganito yung game namin eh,” recalled Jarencio after the match. “Kaya lang nung second half bumigay kami. Ngayon, naging consistent kami all the way.”

(Actually against Ginebra during the first half, we played a similar game like tonight. But we fell through in the second half. In this game, we were consistent all the way.) 

Globalport was led by Hickerson’s 25 points and 11 rebounds. But this time around, instead of having only Alex Cabagnot (24 points) as his wingman in scoring, there were key contributions from Romeo (18 points), Washington (13 points) and RR Garcia (8 points). 

On the part of Alaska, Gabby Espinas and Cyrus Baguio added 14  and 8 points, respectively. 

The biggest advantage for the Batang Pier in this game was their speed. They zoomed to a 20-3 edge in fastbreak points along with 25 points off the Aces’ 19 miscues. 

“I give credit to the boys, lalo sa mga beterano,” Jarencio said. “Gusto talaga nila manalo.” (I give credit to the boys, most especially to our veterans. They really wanted to win.” 

Scores 

GLOBALPORT 95 – Hickerson 25, Cabagnot 24, Romeo 18, Washington 13, Garcia 8, Ponferada 4, Macapagal 2, Matias 1, Taha 0, Menk 0, Hayes 0, Salvador 0. 

ALASKA 91 – Walker 22, Casio 16, Espinas 14, Abueva 14, Baguio 8, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 5, Manuel 4, Thoss 2.

Quarter scores: 24-22, 48-34, 66-62, 95-91. 

– Rappler.com