Globalport picks up back-to-back wins, keeps Blackwater winless
Alex Cabagnot of Globalport (light) vs Ogie Menor of Blackwater (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Cabagnot returned from flu and Ronjay Buenafe picked up where he left off and Globalport beat Blackwater, 87-72, in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cabagnot sat out the Batang Pier’s win over Kia last Tuesday but he made up for lost time with nine points, 11 rebounds and nine assists while Buenafe topscored with 17 points after putting up 19 in his previous outing.
“It’s a total team effort. Alex’s return brought back the flow in our offense,” said Globalport head coach Pido Jarencio in Filipino.
Apart from its veteran backcourt of Cabagnot and Buenafe, rookie Anthony Semerad also shone with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field.
The Batang Pier have now won back-to-back games after a 1-2 start where rumors of a coaching change surfaced.
“They’re just playing with confidence now. They already know the team can win,” said Jarencio, who won just two games last season when he took over the team in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We have the right personnel now and we don’t have anywhere to go but up,” Jarencio added.
Enigmatic guard Terrence Romeo didn’t play due to a throat infection but could return on Wednesday, according to Jarencio.
The Batang Pier ran away in the third quarter where they outscored the Elite, 25-13, to take a 70-53 lead entering the final period.
Top overall pick Stanley Pringle collected 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The 15-point victory is the most lopsided win by Globalport, which led by as much as 24, since joining the league in 2012.
The Elite suffered their fifth loss in as many games. Bryan Faundo led the team with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
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