GlobalPort whips Mahindra, rules Pacquiao Cup in GenSan

MANILA, Philippines – GlobalPort ran roughshod against a new-look Mahindra side, 88-63, to rule the Manny Pacquiao Cup on Tuesday in General Santos City.

The Batang Pier, who played without Gilas Pilipinas top gunner Terrence Romeo, relied on a balanced scoring attack to subdue the Enforcers mentored by playing coach Manny Pacquiao and complete a five-game sweep of the tournament.

Former Jose Rizal University shooter Philip Paniamogan, named the tournament’s MVP, led the Batang Pier with 12 points, while Paolo Taha, newly-acquired forward Jervy Cruz, Joseph Yeo and Ronjay Buenafe combined for 36 points to dispose of Pacquiao’s squad.

Batang Pier team manager Bonnie Tan said the pocket tournament gave coach Pido Jarencio an opportunity to get a closer look at the rookies they selected recently in the draft.

“Tinitingnan pa natin talaga kung sino ang puwede kasi so far, so Roi (Sumang) pa lang ang nakapirma,” Tan told Philstar.com on Wednesday, shortly upon arriving in Manila.

Other rookies who joined the trip include Paniamogan (undrafted in 2014) and Fil-Am guard Ryan Wetherell, whom the Batang Pier selected in the fourth round last month.

“Pinalaro ko lang muna lahat pero ang importante dito eh yung team bonding kasi isang linggo kami dun,” added Jarencio, whose team will play the Qatar national team on Saturday in a tuneup game.

Mahindra, which played without Aldrech Ramos (with Gilas), big man Kyle Pascual and Karl Dehesa, finished the tournament with an aggregate 3-2 record for the runner-up finish.