REFEREES and Globalport’s Kelly Nabong (right) try to separate Anthony Semerad and KIA’s Chad Alonzo (partly hidden) during a scuffle in the first quarter. The refs called a double technical foul. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines–What was supposed to be a cakewalk turned out to be a character test for Globalport.
Facing a lightly regarded KIA Motors, the Batang Pier needed to finish strong on Tuesday night to hammer out an 84-79 decision in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The win allowed Globalport to level its record at 2-2 and, more importantly, prove that it could hold on until the final buzzer, a remedy the Batang Pier needed on the heels of two losses where they blew commanding leads and collapsed in the fourth quarter.
“I knew that this would come—a game where we can show our true character,” Globalport coach Pido Jarencio said. “It’s not really in the character of this team to fold up, otherwise, we could have folded up again today.”
Barangay Ginebra played just hard enough against Blackwater later in the night, hammering out a 100-91 decision that put the Gin Kings back on track.
Ginebra opened up a couple of 17-point leads before weathering a last-gasp stand by the Elite, who came within six going into the final two minutes.
Ginebra rose to 3-1 and kept the Elite winless in four games.
Globalport came in somewhat shorthanded with Alex Cabagnot out because of flu-like symptoms and Terrence Romeo getting limited minutes from Jarencio. But that allowed the Batang Pier to move the ball much better and get four players in twin digits.
Romeo played for just 13 minutes, taking 12 attempts from the floor and making just one to finish with two points, his worst output this season.
But Jarencio managed to get the most out of rookies Stanley Pringle and Anthony Semerad and veteran Ronjay Buenafe, who led all Globalport scorers with 19 markers.
Semerad, who missed the first two Globalport games to fulfill his commitment with San Beda on the way to winning the Finals MVP award in the recent NCAA, fired 12 points, six of them coming during the most critical time of the fourth period.
Semerad was lucky to finish the game after getting at least four elbow shots to the head from Chad Alonzo late in the first quarter during a rebound play.
However, in a curious decision by game officials, despite the use of replays, only double technical fouls were slapped on Semerad and Alonzo. The KIA forward was seen on the bench looking amused at the decision, even reenacting the blows he inflicted on the Globalport rookie.
Alonzo has been summoned to the Office of the Commissioner on Wednesday and is expected to be penalized heavily, especially after the giant screen inside the coliseum showed his antics on the bench.