GLOBALPORT found enough firepower even without its most prolific player as it whipped Mahindra, 105-86, to stay alive in the playoff race of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Missing Romeo’s 18.8-point average for the conference after the star guard was sidelined with a bum stomach, the Batang Pier turned to a collective effort led by Stanley Pringle to coast to just their second victory in seven games – but second in three games.
Six players scored in twin digits for the Batang Pier, who registered their second-highest output this conference after scoring 113 points in a loss Blackwater earlier this month.
The Batang Pier also dealt the Floodbuster their fifth straight loss and seventh overall against one win.
“That’s what we’re hoping that the bench players could contribute,” GlobalPort coach Franz Pumaren said. “We should also give credit to Terrence na in spite of him being sick, he still suited up.”
Pringle showed the way, firing 24 points along with five assists, three boards, and one block, while Malcolm White added 16 points, 17 boards, two assists, and one steal in 36 minutes.
Von Pessumal chipped in 14 points, embellished by four three-pointers, scoring nine of his output in the fourth quarter where the Batang Pier maintained a huge lead that ballooned to 31 points.
Mike Cortez, who started in place of Romeo, contributed 12 points, four boards, two assists, and one block, while fellow veterans JR Quinahan and Aaron Aban were the other two who scored in double figures.
James Forrester was a surprise starter and made the most out of it by tallying seven points – two on a highlight-worthy slam, and four boards without committing a turnover in 24 minutes.
Keith Wright led Mahindra with 23 points and nine boards in 40 minutes that went for naught.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 105 – Pringle 24, White 16, Pessumal 14, Cortez 12, Quinahan 11, Aban 10, Forrester 7, Paredes 6, Ababou 5, Mamaril 0, Pennisi 0
MAHINDRA 86 – Wright 23, Celda 18, Paniamogan 14, Corpuz 8, Deutchman 6, Elorde 4, Salva 4, Caperal 2, Mallari 2, Yee 2, Ballesteros 1, David 1, Galanza 1, Revilla 0, Teng 0, Guevarra 0
Quarterscores: 105-86
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