PBA: Ginebra channels never-say-die attitude in Globalport victory

By Ernest Hernandez

Pasay City, Philippines (Eagle News) – Barangay Ginebra channeled their never-say-die reputation to overcome Globalport Batang Pier, 93-81 after losing their import, Paul Harris to an injury in their opening game of the 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup.

Globalport opened up the game with a 12-3 start with Stanley Pringle scoring 8 early points in the first 3 minutes of the quarter. Barangay came rallying back with Paul Harris’ 8 points to pull in at 30-25 to close out the quarter.

In the second quarter, it was Terrence Romeo – who was still fresh from his stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers – that poured in 8 points to keep his team afloat to carry a three-point lead heading to the third quarter.

Ginebra was able to claim back the lead early in the second half but when things are starting to turn to their way, Paul Harris injured right hand at 1:03 mark in the third quarter while trying to block Dominque Sutton’s shot inside and would not return to the game.

The injury of Harris triggered Japeth Aguilar, Sol Mercado and Chris Ellis to fill in the hole and scored 8 points each in the closing quarter and pull away with a 12-point victory at 93-81.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Japeth Aguilar led the Gin Kings with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots while Paul Harris finished with 14 points and 10 boards before leaving the game.

Meanwhile Globalport had Stanley Pringle scoring 26 points with 6 rebounds to go with 4 three-point shots. Dominique Sutton chipped in with 18 points and 15 rebounds on his PBA debut while Terrence Romeo finished with 15 points.

Globalport will be facing the Mahindra Enforcers on Wednesday, July 20 while Ginebra will have an eight-day rest before facing the Alaska Aces on July 24. Both games will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

The scores:

GINEBRA 93 – Aguilar 21, Harris 14, Mercado 12, Devance 10, Ellis 10, Tenorio 10, Caguioa 6, Helterbrand 3, Cruz 2, Marcelo 2, Mariano 2, Thompson 1.

GLOBALPORT 81 – Pringle 26, Sutton 18, Romeo 15, Yeo 8, Isip 5, Taha 4, Kramer 3, Dehesa 2, Banal 0, Paredes 0, Pascual 0.