GlobalPort outlasts Alaska, inches closer to quarters

Sonny Thoss of Alaska (light) vs Kelly Nabong of GlobalPort (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — GlobalPort survived a resilient Alaska side, 91-88, in overtime to assure itself of at least a playoff for a quarterfinals slot in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Batang Pier played minus starting forward Jay Washington due to a tear on his right foot but got a much-needed lift from Kelly Nabong, who started in place of Washington and notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

“It’s been a long time [since we won] at least we’re able to bounce back. The thing we talked about during the pre-game was to be consistent. We’ve been able to compete but towards the end we falter a bit but today we played for 53 minutes of our basketball,” said GlobalPort head coach Ritchie Ticzon.

Nabong, a sophomore who made a name for himself in the PBA D-League, provided timely points for the Batang Pier, who ended a five-game tailspin for a 5-8 record and will end their elimination round campaign against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

The chiseled big man Nabong sent the game into overtime, 82-all, with an inside basket with 14.6 seconds left before sinking two insurance free throws with 1.4 ticks to go in extra time.

GlobalPort anticipated Alaska’s final play out of the timeout with Sol Mercado intercepting a pass to Dondon Hontiveros at the left corner as time ran out.

“The players met the challenge and they were able to deliver. Unfortunate for us to lose J-Wash but it’s great for him (Nabong) to step up,” said Ticzon, who added that Washington will “most likely” miss their game against the Kings, who currently own a 9-2 record.

JVee Casio scored 21 points for the Aces, who are on the brink of getting booted out with a 4-9 mark, as he teamed up with Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio to rally their team back from a 55-70 deficit they faced in the fourth quarter.

Thoss also had 21 points and grabbed 18 rebounds with five assists and three blocks while Baguio added 20.

Casio put Alaska in front, 82-80, after he blew past Terrence Romeo on the drive with 25.2 seconds remaining before Nabong answered that forged extra session.

With a chance to take the lead, the Aces committed a turnover with Thoss losing the ball under the basket.

Alaska got a steal but RJ Jazul’s open 3-pointer wouldn’t go in before Nabong’s two freebies.

Romeo led GlobalPort with 18 points but had just three points in the fourth quarter and overtime and put up quite a few forced jumpers. Mercado had 11 points and eight assists while the veteran Eric Menk had 10 points and 11 rebounds off-the-bench.