STANLEY Pringle went on a key scoring spree in the payoff period to help GlobalPort grind out a hard-fought 86-85 squeaker over Meralco to list its first win in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pringle scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to give his team the lift it needed. He also had seven rebounds and three assists.
GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio and Pringle himself described the player’s sudden surge in the fourth that led the team to victory.
“I can’t find my rhythm in the first three quarters, but my coaches kept on telling me to keep shooting so I did and they fell,” said Pringle of his clutch scoring down the stretch.
“Buti na lang naka-pick up si Stanley (Pringle) nu’ng fourth quarter kahit medyo struggling pa rin siya. Sana mag-tuloy tuloy na para sa amin,” said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio. “Nag-tone down kami and got our timing.”
Malcolm White was also solid for GlobalPort, gathering team-highs of 27 points and 17 rebounds for a solid double-double and so was Sean Anthony, who added 15 points with seven rebounds for a solid contribution.
Pringle scored eight in GlobalPort’s game-turning 10-2 run to turn a knotted 67-all count to a 77-69 advantage halfway the fourth period of a nip-and-tuck battle throughout.
The Bolts didn’t give up, charging back to cut the Batang Pier’s lead to just two, 84-82, with ball in hand.
However, Jared Dillinger, who didn’t make a shot all night, air-balled a potential game-winning triple with seven seconds left, allowing Pringle to nail two more free throws for a safe 86-82 lead for GlobalPort.
Chris Newsome scored on a triple at the buzzer to settle the final count.
Both teams are now at 1-1 to start their campaigns.
The Batang Pier played minus Moala Tautuaa as the big man served his one-game suspension for a flagrant foul committed in the team’s initial outing.
Nino Canaleta led Meralco with a game-high 28 points.
Further showing the tightness of the game throughout, the first half ended at 45-44, with GlobalPort holding the slimmest of leads.
Meanwhile, TNT KaTropa guard Terrence Romeo was fined a hefty P25,000 by the league for publicly criticizing officials in the Tropang Texters’ opening game last Sunday.
Romeo protested post-game the numerous dribbling violations called on him through the contest.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 86 - White 27, Pringle 17, Anthony 15, Arana 7, Nabong 6, Grey 5, Teng 3, Viernes 2, Elorde 2, Gabayni 2, Guinto 0.
MERALCO 85 - Canaleta 28, Onuaku 21, Newsome 9, Caram 9, Amer 8, Hodge 6, Salva 2, Hugnatan 2, Sedurifa 0, Dillinger 0.
Quarters: 23-25, 45-44, 63-65, 86-85.