Romeo ends slump, shoots Globalport past Talk ‘N Text
GLOBALPORT’S Terrence Romeo. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Terrence Romeo rediscovered his shooting touch and Globalport averted a collapse to salvage a 105-97 win over Talk ‘N Text in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Romeo ended a string of poor offensive outings with 30 points, the most since hitting 33 in his season debut. The enigmatic guard went 5-of-9 from long distance and 9-of-10 at the free throw line.
The Batang Pier improved to 4-3 while also snapping the Tropang Texters’ three-game winning streak.
“I just told my players to believe and stay positive,” said Globalport head coach Pido Jarencio in Filipino. “Terrence is back. He played well tonight and Ronjay had a bad shooting in the first half but he stepped up in the second half.”
The Texters took a 91-89 edge before the Batang Pier broke loose behind Buenafe and Romeo’s hot shooting.
Buenafe and Romeo took turns. Buenafe drilled in a triple that gave Globalport the lead for good, 92-91, with 5:14 remaining before Romeo followed it up with his own for a 95-91 cushion.
The former UAAP MVP Romeo, who scored only 19 points in his last four games combined, drilled in the dagger of a 3-pointer — extending his team’s lead back to 10, 104-94, with 1:30 left.
Globalport squandered an 11-point lead it built in the first half but it was the Batang Pier’s turn to rally in the second half. They trailed by as much as nine in the third quarter before riding on Buenafe and Romeo’s offensive outburst.
The Batang Pier shot 54 percent from long range and made a franchise-best 15 triples.
Veteran playmaker Alex Cabagnot helped stabilize Globalport’s play and his numbers showed it with 10 points, seven rebounds and eight assists with only one turnover in 40 minutes.
Harvey Carey had 24 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort for TNT, which dropped to 4-3. Ranidel de Ocampo added 23 points and nine rebounds.
Buenafe scored all of his 13 points in the last two quarters, 11 coming in the final frame.
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