By Ernest Hernandez
Eagle News Service
GlobalPort Batang Pier captured their first win of the 2017 PBA Commissioners’ Cup against the win-less NLEX Road Warriors, 85-82, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Leading by just three points at the half, GlobalPort was able to counter a barrage of attacks from Wayne Chism, who came up with 12 points in the half and carried on a seven-point lead heading to the final quarter.
Chism once again tried to carry the Road Warriors on his back by scoring nine of their team’s eighteen fourth quarter points but Malcolm White and Stanley Pringle kept the lead on their side by scoring a combined twelve points in the final period to seal the victory.
White finished the game with 23 points, sixteen boards and six blocks, while Pringle added the scoring punch with 12 points to go, with five boards, and four dimes. Terrence Romeo contributed with 12 points before sitting down the final half of the fourth quarter after experiencing cramps.
In a losing effort, Chism put up 29 points and fourteen rebounds for the Road Warriors. Only Raul Soyud scored double figures aside from Chism, with 12 points.
GlobalPort Batang Pier played without Head Coach Franz Pumaren, who called in sick but dedicated this win after Assistant Coach Senen Duenas passed away the same morning before they faced the Road Warriors.
The NLEX Road Warriors have yet to punch a number in the win column and will have a chance to break the losing skid against Barangay Ginebra on April 19, Wednesday, at the Cuneta Astrodome. GlobalPort Batang Pier will now try to take their momentum to the next game when they face the Alaska Aces on April 21, Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 85 – White 23, Pringle 15, Romeo 12, Ababou 8, Cortez 8, Pessumal 8, Quinahan 5, Mamaril 4, Maierhofer 2, Forrester 0, Paredes 0, Aban 0, Pennisi 0.
NLEX 82 – Chism 29, Soyud 12, Rios 7, Monfort 6, J. Villanueva 5, Tiongson 5, Guinto 4, Al-Hussaini 3, Taulava 3, Anthony 3, Khobuntin 2, Baracael 2, Alas 1, Lastimosa 0, Lanete 0.
Quarterscores: 21-25, 49-46, 71-64, 85-82