Romeo defies flu as GlobalPort blows out Barako in OT

Stanley Pringle tallies a double-double for GlobalPort. PBA
By Kevin Estrada

PASIG--GlobalPort almost blew a 15-point first quarter lead and needed five more minutes to defeat Barako Bull, 105-91 on Sunday at the Philsports Arena.

Terrence Romeo sat out the entire first quarter due to flu but came with a game-high 21 points off the bench, while his backcourt partner Stanley Pringle notched a double-double of 19 markers and 17 boards along with six assists for Coach Pido Jarencio as the Batang Pier notched their second straight win to force a logjam at third with the NLEX Road Warriors and the San Miguel Beermen.

For the Energy, JC Intal tallied a team-high 17 points, including the game-tying turnaround jumper at the final buzzer of regulation, but they just ran out of steam in the extra period where they only register six points to fall at 1-2, tying Blackwater and crowd darlings Ginebra at joint eighth.

Globalport came with their gunships blazing, unleashing a 19-0 run to turn a 6-10 first quarter deficit into a 25-10 lead. The Batang Pier lead 29-18 at the end of the first 12 minutes.

But Barako unleashed their horns in the second canto as they closed the half with an 8-0 run thanks to threes by Intal and Chico Lanete to move within three, 45-42.

Lanete lead off the third with a triple to tie the game at 45-all, as he was joined by Josh Urbiztondo and Willy Wilson in regaining the lead for Barako, 69-66 at the end of 36 minutes of play.

The fourth quarter continued the nip-and-tuck game both teams experienced, as they exchanged baskets and looking for the killer blow to each other.

In the last 20 seconds of the game. Barako tied the game in a series of hits and misses.

After Romeo splits his free throws, RR Garcia drove in for a quick two to reduce the deficit to 83-85. However, Keith Jensen misses both freebies and JC Intal tied the game with a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to force extra time.

But that was all the Energy wrote as the Batang Pier scored the first five points of the overtime and never looked back to secure their second win of the young conference.

Box Scores:

GlobalPort 105-Romeo 21, Pringle 19, Kramer 14, Yeo 13, Washington 11, Maierhofer 9, Jensen 8, Sumang 4, Mamaril 2, Taha 2, Uyloan 2, Pena 0

Barako Bull 91-Intal 17, Wilson 14, Cruz 13, Lanete 13, Fortuna 9, GArcia 8, Urbiztondo 7, Pennisi 6, Baracael 4, Caperal 0, Monfort 0, Sorongon 0

Quarterscores: 29-18; 45-42; 66-69; 85-85; 105-91

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