PBA: GlobalPort upsets Meralco

Sol Mercado of Globalport (dark) vs Chris Timberlake of Meralco (light)   PBA IMAGE/NUKI SABIO

MANILA, Philippines – Just days removed from blowing an 18-point lead, GlobalPort rose from a 20-point deficit to stun Meralco 91-79 in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Markeith Cummings and veteran guards Gary David and Sol Mercado anchored a big second half by the Batang Pier, who breathed life into their quarterfinals chances after notching their third win in seven games.

“Ginamit naming tamang motivation yon yung our loss on Sunday. It was a won game,” said GlobalPort head coach Junel Baculi referring to his team’s sorry 97-98 defeat to Barako Bull.

Cummings pumped in 22 of his 32 points in the last two quarters, David exploded for 14 of his 21 in the pivotal third period and Mercado blasted his former team with 15 points, all in the second half.

“At least na-break na namin yung two wins lang last two conferences.  We just have to learn from every game that we play and hopefully we can be gatecrashers sa quarterfinals,” added Baculi.

“We changed our strategy a little bit from our offensive lineups. Fortunately it worked. Plus we tightened up on defense especially on Mario West. He is a tough import, he is very hard to guard. One thing I admire with this team right now is they are willing to listen and they are ready to take on the challenge.”

Mario West was held to just six points in the third and fourth quarter after scoring 16 in the first half.

GlobalPort once trailed, 20-40, late in the second quarter before its offense clicked. Cummings nailed a triple to give the lead back to the Batang Pier for good, 70-69. Another trey came this time from Mercado before Cummings’ two-handed dunk made it, 75-69, with 4:58 left.

Mac Cardona cut the Bolts’ deficit to four, 73-77, but Mercado sank his second triple of the night before Cummings completed a three-point play to seal the win.

Reynel Hugnatan added 19 points and 13 rebounds for Meralco, which blew a chance to bolster its bid for a top four finish as it dropped to 4-3.