Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort (light) vs Calvin Abueva of Alaska (dark). NUKI SABIO/PBA
MANILA, Philippines — Terrence Romeo returned to the lineup and Globalport hung on to beat Alaska, 95-91, in the 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Romeo, who missed the tailend of last conference and his team’s previous game Tuesday due to an injury, made up for lost time with 18 points to give the Batang Pier a boost.
Import Leroy Hickerson posted game-highs with 25 points and 11 rebounds while Alex Cabagnot and Jay Washington added 24 and 13 points, respectively.
“I give credit the boys especially to my veteran players,” said Globalport head coach Pido Jarencio. “In our first game we also played like this but we just broke down in the second half. Today, we’re just consistent.”
“Good start for us,” added Jarencio, whose team improved to 1-1 after nearly going winless last Commissioner’s Cup.
The Batang Pier blew a 12-point lead, 85-73, with 3:21 remaining after the Aces cut it to three, 94-91, with 11.8 ticks left after a long 3-pointer by Henry Walker over the outstretched arms of Hickerson.
Globalport left the door wide open after Walker sunk both of his freebies before Hickerson secured a crucial offensive rebound that led to Cabagnot’s game-sealing free throw with 4.7 seconds remaining.
Walker led Alaska, which fell to 1-1 after a 94-87 win over San Miguel Beer last Sunday, with 22 points, seven points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
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