Batang Pier stun Aces; Beermen up

GLOBALPORT import Leroy Hickerson is fouled on the drive by Alaska’s William Walker in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

FINALLY getting its local crew to contribute, Globalport held off Alaska in the stretch last night for a 95-91 victory, the Batang Pier’s first in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

With import Leroy Hickerson coming up with his usual numbers, the big difference was the three Batang Pier locals who tossed in a combined 55 points, a lot of them coming in the waning minutes.

Hickerson scored 25 points that went with 11 rebounds, and Alex Cabagnot fired 24.  Coach Pido Jarencio praised the rest of the team for giving the duo the back-up it deserves.

June Mar Fajardo sank 12 points in the fourth period later in the night and keyed a 97-92 San Miguel Beer victory over Rain or Shine that put the Beermen at 1-1 like Globalport, Alaska and idle Barako Bull.

Fajardo finished with a career-high 28 points and 18 rebounds.

The Elasto Painters took a second straight loss despite the return of coach Yeng Guiao as they tied Meralco at the bottom.

“I give credit to the veterans, they really wanted to win this one,” Jarencio said. “We played this way against Ginebra in the first half (of an 89-71 loss). But tonight, we were able to sustain it the whole game.”

Alaska’s loss is considered the first upset of the tournament. It debuted with an impressive triumph over powerhouse San Miguel Beer a few days ago, 94-87.

The Aces trailed by as many as 14 points as they played out of synch for close to three quarters before coming doggedly back in the fourth to make the final score much respectable.

Henry Walker paced the Aces with 22 points, including a triple with 11.8 seconds left that made it 91-94, before Cabagnot sealed the deal with a free throw.

Jarencio lost his first eight games as the new Globalport coach in the Commissioner’s Cup before getting the boot, along with Barako Bull.

The scores:

First Game

GLOBALPORT 95—Hickerson 25, Cabagnot 24, Romeo 18, Washington 13, Garcia 8, Ponferada 4, Macapagal 2, Matias 1, Taha 0, Menk 0, Hayes 0, Salvador 0.

ALASKA 91—Walker 22, Casio 16, Espinas 14, Abueva 14, Baguio 8, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 5, Manuel 4, Thoss 2.

Quarters: 24-22, 48-34, 66-62, 95-91

Second Game

SAN MIGUEL BEER 97—Williams 29, Fajardo 28, Santos 10, Lassiter 8, Maierhofer 7, Tubid 5, Ross 4, Lutz 4, Chua 2, Lanete 0, Kramer 0, Mercado 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 92—Reid 27, Lee 13, Tiu 11, Almazan 9, Chan 9, Rodriguez 8, Norwood 5, Uyloan 3, Cruz 2, Arana 2, Ibanes 2, Nuyles 1, Belga 0.

Quarters: 21-11, 44-42, 66-68, 97-92