Globalport rises to 4th spot with rout of NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – Ronjay Buenafe buried back-to-back triples to open the fourth quarter and the Globalport Batang Pier put the game out of reach as they ran away with a 108-80 blowout win over the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday, June 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Terrence Romeo, who assisted and orchestrated the plays for Buenafe’s triples and scored two free throws himself for the 8-0 early fourth period barrage, finished with 22 points and 4 assists. He was 3 for 8 from downtown and poured 10 points in the final frame. 

Import Jarrid Famous topcsored with 30 points and 24 rebounds as the Batang Pier jumped from seventh to fourth place with the victory. The Batang Pier placed itself in a favorable position for the playoffs should they be able to maintain it as the top 4 teams will earn a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals. 

“We caught them off guard because they came from a hard game against Rain or Shine,” said Globalport head coach Pido Jarencio. “Kami naman medyo well-rested kaya mas naging aggressive kami (We were a little well-rested so we were more aggressive).” 

Asian import Omar Krayem added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Stanley Pringle had 9. 

“I challenged the players,” Jarencio said of his wards who never yielded the lead to the Road Warriors. “Our goal is to [limit the opponent to] 80 points below, which we got.” 

NLEX trailed by a manageable 70-59 entering the fourth before Globalport uncorked a game-sealing 15-4 run sparked by Buenafe’s triples as Globalport built an 85-63 lead on a Famous bucket with 8:07 left.

The rally was spurned by unselfish perimeter passing, and that good ball movement resulted in an 18-10 advantage in assists for the Batang Pier along with their biggest winning margin in franchise history.

Asi Taulava led NLEX with 23 points and 6 rebounds while Alexander Kwame chipped in 14 markers, 9 boards and two blocks. Michael Madanly added 12 points as the Road Warriors absorbed its third straight defeat for a 2-7 record.

The 28-point lopsided defeat was likewise the biggest losing margin for NLEX in franchise history.

Globalport, which will face KIA and Alaska to wrap up the elimination round, racked up a 5-4 record, which is already the most wins by the franchise in a conference with imports, according to PBA Head Statistician Fidel Mangonon III. 

Scores:

GLOBALPORT 108 – Famous 30, Romeo 22, Krayem 19, Pringle 9, Kramer 7, Buenafe 6, Taha 4, Miranda 4, Semerad 3, Jensen 2, Mamaril 2, Caperal 0, Pinto 0, Ponferada 0, Isip 0. 

NLEX 80 – Taulava 23, Alexander 14, Madanly 12, Villanueva J. 8, Cardona 5, Baloria 3, Villanueva E. 3, Raymundo 2, Apinan 2, Wilson 2, Ramos 2, Camson 2, Canaleta 2, Arboleda H. 0, Arboleda W. 0. 

Quarter scores: 26-13, 47-33, 70-59, 108-80.

– Rappler.com