Fiery Batang Pier rout weary Elite

MANILA, Philippines — Ranged against a team playing its second game in three nights, GlobalPort fashioned out the second most lopsided win in franchise history behind a relentless pressing and attacking game.

The Batang Pier applied a vicious press on defense and pushed the ball hard on each possession on the way to a 101-76 rout of a weary Blackwater side in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

“The instruction was simple. Blackwater was playing back-to-back games so we played up-tempo all game long. We knew they would get tired,” said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio.

The Batang Pier gained a share of fourth with Alaska Milk, Phoenix Petroleum, Rain or Shine and TNT KaTropa at 2-2.

The absence of Allein Maliksi also told heavily on Blackwater as it suffered a third loss against two wins. Maliksi had a permission from the team management to attend a personal matter.

“His absence was a factor plus a lot other more,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac in yielding a 25-point loss to the Batang Pier.

That’s the second biggest victory by GlobalPort, which also demolished NLEX, 108-78, on June 12, 2015.

Sean Anthony highlighted a 22-point game with 4-of-4 three-point shooting in the opening quarter that fueled the Batang Pier’s early breakaway.

Kelly Nabong, Jonathan Grey, Yousef Taha, Michael Juico and Joseph Gabayni took over in the second quarter as the Batang Pier roared to a 61-37 spread at halftime. They were hardly challenged in the final half.

Blackwater appeared to be a spent force after dropping a close game against TNT KaTropa last Wednesday.

Reigning champ San Miguel Beer beat out a gritty NLEX side, 109-98, in a physical, emotional setto for win No. 4 later in the night.

“After losing their last two games, I expected NLEX to come out hard. They refused to lose but because of pride and experience, we prevailed in the end,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria after winning the match marred by the ejection of Michael Miranda on a flagrant foul and by Chris Ross on two technical infractions.

Ross incurred his second technical foul on a heated verbal tussle with NLEX coach Yeng Guiao with the outcome of the game already settled.

The scores: 

First Game

GlobalPort 101 – Anthony 22, Pringle 17, Nabong 16, Grey 8, Taha 7, Juico 6, Gabayni 6, Flores 4, Guinto 4, Araña 4, Elorde 4, Sargent 3. 

Blackwater 76 – Belo 17, Digregorio 15, Sena 9, Pinto 8, Erram 8, Jose 8, Palma 6, Javier 3, Cruz 2, Cortez 0, Banal 0, Sumang 0, Marcelo 0, Neypes 0. 

Quarterscores: 28-23, 61-37, 79-54, 101-76

Second Game

San Miguel 109 – Santos 26, Fajardo 25, Cabagnot 14, Lassiter 14, Pessumal 10, Rosser 6, Ross 4, De Ocampo 4, Semerad 2, Heruela 2, Mamaril 2. 

NLEX 98 – Ravena 15, Quinahan 12, Mallari 12, Soyud 12, Miranda 10, Tiongson 8, Fonacier 6, Uyloan 6, Alas 5, Al-Hussaini 5, Taulava 3, Baguio 2, Gotladera 2. 

Quarterscores: 31-24, 49-58, 74-74, 109-98