Romeo, Pringle deliver late as GlobalPort defeats Hotshots

MANILA, Philippines – The backcourt of the future for the GlobalPort Batang Pier delivered their improving team to a big win in the present.

Rising PBA star Terrence Romeo and Rookie of the Year favorite Stanley Pringle each took turns hitting big shots down the stretch of the fourth quarter, paving the way for GlobalPort’s victory over the Star Hotshots, 91-89, on Tuesday, May 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The win improved GlobalPort’s record to 3-0, their best start in franchise history. It was also the first time in 10 tries that the Batang Pier beat the Purefoods franchise since their entry to the PBA in 2012. 

“[This is a] positive for the team, kasi syempre defending champion yang tinalo namin,” GlobalPort head coach Pido Jarencio said after the game. “Para sa mga fans nang GlobalPort ito.” 

(Because of course we beat the defending champions… This is for the fans of GlobalPort.) 

Romeo struggled from the field, getting his 17 points on 6-of-21 shooting. Pringle played just 23 minutes, but registered 15 points. 

Scoring for GlobalPort was headlined by their Asian import, Omar Krayem, who put up 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The team’s new but temporary American import, Steve Thomas, had 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists. 

“I give credit sa mga players. Sa lahat nang mga players namin, especially sa mga imports,” Jarencio said.

(I give credit to the players. To all of our players, especially our imports.)

“Professional ang tao eh,” he added about Thomas, whose last stint in the PBA was in 2008 with Air21. “Bilib ako sakanya, kasi nga alam niya for one week lang siya dito, pero nag-laro.”

(He’s a professional… I like his commitment, because even if he knows he’s just here for one week, he still played.)

The production of their imports kept GlobalPort at bay for most of the game, but when it was time to convert the finishing blows, Romeo and Pringle stepped up to the plate.

Star import Marqus Blakely tied the game at 87-all with 2:31 to go after converting a free throw. Both teams then went scoreless for close to a minute before Romeo corralled an offensive rebound off a Doug Kramer miss and converted a put-back lay-up.

On the other end of the floor, James Yap and Mark Barroca each missed jumpers before the Batang Pier grabbed a rebound. Romeo tried to create more separation between both sides, but missed on two straight hero-ball shots. 

Following a Hotshots time-out, a bad pass by Joe Devance led to a turnover with 34 seconds remaining. Pringle then ran the shot clock down on the next possession and drilled a tough step-back jumper over Marc Pingris to put his team ahead 91-87 with 12 seconds to go.

Blakely converted an easy basket with 7 seconds remaining to trim the deficit back down to two. GlobalPort then had trouble completing an inbound pass, but was finally able to do so after two time-outs and ran the clock out for the win. 

Blakely, who’s called Mr. Everything, lived up to his nickname by putting up 19 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks, and 3 steals on Tuesday. James Yap registered 12 points but struggled from the field on 5-of-14 shooting. PJ Simon played just 15 minutes and scored 10 points. 

Star shot 48% from the field but went just 1-of-13 from downtown (8%). GlobalPort, on the other hand, hit 14-of-32 (44%) from long range on Tuesday. 

The Batang Pier also made up for getting out-rebounded 48-34 by forcing 22 Star turnovers which led to 17 points.  

Jarencio said that the team is bringing in former Meralco Bolts and Petron Blaze Boosters (San Miguel Beermen) import Jarrid Famous next week to replace Thomas. 

“[He’s a] legit 6-11 guy. Paka makatulong sa campaign namin,” was all the head coach commented about his incoming 26-year-old big man out of Bronx, New York. 

Scores:

GLOBALPORT (91): Krayem 20, Romeo 17, Pringle 15, Thomas 12, Buenafe 8, Kramer 7, Semerad 3, Miranda 3, Mamaril 2, Isip 2, Jensen 2, Taha 0, Ponferada 0, Pinto 0, Hayes 0. 

STAR (89): Blakely 19, Yap 12, Mallari 11, Simon 10, Barroca 9, Melton 8, Pingris 6, Devance 5, Pennisi 5, Maliksi 4, Reavis 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0, Alvarez 0. 

Quarter Scoring: 23-16, 38-43, 65-68, 91-89

– Rappler.com