AFTER five tries, the GlobalPort Batang Pier are now in the win column of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup following their disposal of the hapless NLEX Road Warriors, 85-82, in their Holy Wednesday encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Held their own when challenged down the stretch and with import Malcolm White hitting a key basket, the Batang Pier (1-4) bested the Road Warriors (0-6) in a battle of tailending teams in the midseason PBA conference and infused life back into their jittery campaign.
NLEX started the game strong with big man Raul Suyod leading the charge and helping his team claim the opening quarter, 25-21.
The Batang Pier, however, would counter with an explosion of their own in the second period to outscore their opponents and overtake the Road Warriors, 49-46, by halftime.
Just like the first quarter, NLEX would go on a fast swing to start the third period to momentarily seize the lead, 53-51, in the first three minutes only for GlobalPort to reclaim it with an 8-0 blast after, which it eventually used as springboard to create some separation and hold a seven-point cushion at the end of the quarter, 71-64.
With the game still within reach, the Road Warriors tried to claw their way back and were able to tie the game at 80-all with 34.9 seconds remaining in the game.
That set up the crucial play of Mr. White, who drained a fade-away jumper over his NLEX counterpart Wayne Chism with 23.8 seconds to go to give his team the lead anew, 82-80.
Mr. Chism tried to get back the two points but his layup missed the mark, forcing NLEX to foul Mr. White with 11 seconds remaining.
But the GlobalPort import split his free throws to give a glimmer of hope to NLEX.
Mr. Soyud cut their deficit to one point, 83-82, with seven seconds left but that was the closest they would get as two free throws from Stanley Pringle after sealed the win for GlobalPort.
Mr. White led the way for GlobalPort with 23 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks while Mr. Pringle had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Terrence Romeo, who left the game in the fourth period with a hurting calf, finished with 12 points and five assists.
NLEX, meanwhile, was paced by Mr. Chism with 29 points and 14 rebounds while Mr. Soyud had 12 points and seven rebounds.
“It was a tough game as we were missing shots. But we just stayed in it and our import kept us in the game. I’m happy we got this win,” said Mr. Pringle, named player of the game, after their win.
GlobalPort next plays on April 21 against the TNT KaTropa while NLEX returns to action on April 19 versus the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.