GLOBALPORT hardly flinched even without its leading scorer, hacking out a 102-90 win over KIA on Sunday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Murphey Holloway and Stanley Pringle took care of business for the Batang Pier in the absence of gunner Terrence Romeo as the duo fired 29 and 21 points, respectively.
The Batang Pier evened their record at 2-2 and putting them in a perfect position to move in the upper half of the standings by the time Romeo returns from his duty with Gilas Pilipinas.
The team plays powerhouse San Miguel next this Friday also at the Big Dome.
Coach Franz Pumaren said it was a ‘struggle win’ for Globalport as the long three week layoff obviously affected the team.’
“The layoff was kind of hard on our part. We were a bit sluggish, sluggish in a way that we were rushing things,” he said afterwards.
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The Batang Pier last played July 30 in a 124-108 loss to Barangay Ginebra.
In addition, he noted it was also hard playing against a team which has nothing to lose like the Picanto.
“It’s so hard playing Kia. With the way they’re playing, it’s just really stress-free. No pressure at all,” said Pumaren.
The Picanto indeed, made it difficult for the Batang Pier the entire ballgame.
Despite falling by as many as 85-69 early in the fourth, the Picanto rallied their way back and threatened at 96-90 inside the final minute on a Reden Celda jumper.
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But Holloway, who added 18 rebounds, scored on a slam in the next play to clinch the win for Globalport, 98-90.
The game also marked the Batang Pier debut of Mac Baracael and free agent Paolo Hubalde. Baracael, acquired as part of the Cyrus Baguio trade, finished in double figures of 13 points and four rebounds, while Hubalde had four points.
Markeith Cummings had a game-high of 37 points for Kia, which remained winless in seven outings.
