GLOBALPORT banked on its towering lineup as it held off Phoenix, 97-91, in their tune-up game at the Upper Deck gym in Pasig City.
The Batang Pier looked formidable even without injured Kelly Nabong as Malcolm White and new recruit Mo Tautuaa carried the fight against the Fuel Masters in the opponents’ practice facility in a glorified scrimmage in preparation for the Commissioner's Cup.
GlobalPort, though, had to weather a late rally by the Fuel Masters, who fought back from more than 20 points down before falling short.
“Building chemistry pa lang kami,” Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio said. “Si Mo and si Malcolm, kailangan pa rin magkaroon ng chemistry sa team. Pero yung camaraderie nandiyan na. Everybody’s contributing at naka-focus lahat.”
White led the Batang Pier with 26 points, while Tautuaa and Stanley Pringle added 15 points apiece.
Nabong was present, but sat on the sidelines due to back spams.
James White paced the Fuel Masters with 17 points, but it was Justin Chua, Joseph Eriobu, and Marvin Hayes who led their comeback in the fourth period.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 97 - White 26, Tautuaa 15, Pringle 15, Grey 13, Gabayni 8, Sargent 5, Elorde 4, Anthony 4, Viernes 3, Guinto 2, Teng 1, Baloria 1, Araña 0, Flores 0, Juico 0
PHOENIX – 91 White 17, Chua 12, Eriobu 11, Chan 9, Hayes 9, Wilson 8, Revilla 7, Wright 5, Kramer 4, Jazul 4, Mendoza 4, Dehesa 1
Quarterscores: 28-25, 41-41, 76-60, 97-91
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