PBA |
By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--GlobalPort needed overtime before completing a comeback from an early 14-point deficit against Alaska to take a 117-104 victory in a pivotal PBA Governors' Cup match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.
Needing a win to secure the fourth twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, the Batang Pier got into a wrong start as they immediately trailed by double digits against the Aces. The Batang Pier were down, 16-30, early into the second quarter.
But triples from Stanley Pringle and Keith Jensen ignited an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to three, 27-30.
Alaska tried to pull away anew as the team took control of the rest of the second quarter and opened a 49-37 lead late in the period.
But GlobalPort banked on a huge 24-5 run in the third quarter to take a 66-58 advantage. The gap was extended to ten, 77-67, early into the fourth.
The Aces then went on a big rally of their own as they went on a 10-0 run to take a 96-91 lead with 1:59 left in the quarter.
Omar Krayem, however, converted a three-pointer and Pringle added an inside shot to tie the match, 96-all.
Nonoy Baclao scored on a layup to give Alaska a 98-96 cushion, but Pringle answered with two charities to tie the game anew, 98-all.
GlobalPort had a chance to take the win in regulation as the team forced Alaska to a turnover, but Pringle missed a jumper as time expired, bringing the tiff to extra time, where GlobalPort outscored Alaska, 19-6.
Jarrid Famous tallied monster numbers for the Batang Pier, who will finish the eliminations in fourth place regardless of the Star Hotshots-Blackwater Elite game later in the night, as he had 34 points, 26 rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Cyrus Baguio led the Aces, who will still finish the prelims at the top despite the loss, with 20 markers, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Box Scores:
Globalport 117-Famous 34, Pringle 24, Krayem 20, Romeo 14, Jensen 11, Kramer 8, Mamaril 2, Isip 2, Miranda 2, Hayes 0, Semerad 0, Buenafe 0, Ponferada 0
Alaska 104-Baguio 20, Travis 13, Banchero 10, Menk 10, Abueva 8, Jazul 8, Manuel 6, Casio 5, Dela Cruz 5, Thoss 4, Baclao 4, Dela Rosa 4, Exciminiano 4, Hontiveros 2, Eman 1
Quarters: 16-26, 40-49, 74-67, 98-98, 117-104