GlobalPort scores breakthru vs SMB

MANILA, Philippines — Stanley Pringle, Nico Elorde and Moala Tautuaa delivered as GlobalPort bucked the ouster of Malcomn White on technical infractions with over eight minutes left to play, stunning titleholder San Miguel Beer, 98-94, to regain a .500 mark in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the MOA Arena last night.

Pringle came through with 22 points, eight assists and six rebounds fresh from his FIBA 3x3 World Cup stint, and drew big help from Elorde and Tautuaa in the clutch as the Batang Pier scored a first win over the Beermen in a long while.

Elorde nailed a booming trey on a kick-out pass by Pringle then Tautuaa scored on a breakaway layup from a steal Pringle initiated versus Alex Cabagnot as the Batang Pier beat out the Beermen in a tight finish and thus moved up to sixth place at 4-4.

“I must admit, I don’t know how to beat San Miguel Beer. We’re always badly beaten by that team. Actually, I can’t remember ever beating them. A big blessing, we finally beat them, going to the playoffs at that,” said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio.

“We played together and we played with emotion. That carried us through,” said Pringle, sizzling with 17 of his 22 points in the second half as they stopped San Miguel’s three-game charge and handed the Beermen a fourth loss in seven games.

Paul Lee scored 17 of his 25 points in the third period, leading their big charge from five points down at the half en route to a big 111-89 triumph over TNT KaTropa in the nightcap.

Justin Jackson took a nasty fall but stood up and completed a near triple-double performance (18 pts, 19 rebs, seven assists) as the Hotshots snapped a three-game losing skein.

The scores: 

First Game

GlobalPort 98 – White 25, Pringle 22, Anthony 11, Guinto 9, Tautuaa 8, Grey 7, Elorde 6, Teng 3, Nabong 3, Sargent 2, Javelona 2.

San Miguel 94 – Balkman 33, Fajardo 20, Cabagnot 19, Santos 10, Lassiter 6, Santos 6, Rosser 0, Heruela 0, Pessumal 0, Standhardinger 0. 

Quarterscores: 23-27, 47-51, 71-79, 98-94

Second Game

Magnolia 111 – Lee 25, Jackson 18, Brondial 16, Jalalon 13, Ramos 9, Barroca 9, Melton 7, Dela Rosa 5, Simon 3, Reavis 2, Pascual 2, Herndon 2. 

TNT 89 – Romeo 17, Pogoy 16, Smith 12, Reyes 9, Castro 9, Semerad 7, Williams 6, Rosario 5, Cruz 4, Taha 2, Trollano 2, Carey 0.

Quarterscores: 18-25, 43-48, 79-73, 111-89