Batang Pier upset Texters

ISAAC Holstein (right) of Purefoods rejects a driving Alex Nuyles of Blackwater in last night’s game at the Big Dome. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines–Terrence Romeo scattered 30 points as Globalport conquered Talk ‘N Text for the first time with a 105-97 decision last night in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Shooting 5-of-9 from three-point range and 9-of-10 from the stripe, Romeo redeemed himself after seeing scant minutes in Batang Pier’s last three games and boosted Globalport to a tie with the Texters at 4-3.

“I just told the players to believe, to stay positive,” said Globalport coach Pido Jarencio.

Purefoods, now the only team which Globalport has yet to topple, pulled out a 90-82 win over Blackwater earlier in the night.

Romeo hit 11 points in the fourth like Ronjay Buenafe, who bounced back from a lethargic first half to finish with 13 points, including the dagger triple for 101-91, with 2:26 to go.

Harvey Carey paced the Texters with 24, with Ranidel de Ocampo shooting 23.

“Finally, a victory over a high-quality team,” Jarencio said.

Peter June Simon scored 18 points and Joe Devance added 16 as the Star Hotshots fought off the stubborn Elite, even though they were in command practically the whole night.

The win was the third in six games for the Hotshots, who started with two straight losses.

But Coach Tim Cone, the architect of Purefoods’ Grand Slam run last season when the team carried the San Mig Coffee banner, was the least impressed.

“We certainly didn’t play that well tonight,” Cone said. “They (Elite) just missed some shots which could have gotten them over the hump.”

The scores:

First Game

PUREFOODS 90—Simon 18, Devance 16, Maliksi 11, Melton 8, Mallari 8, Pingris 7, Taha 6, Barroca 6, Yap 6, Holstein 3, Reavis 1, Gaco 0, Matias 0, Allado 0.

BLACKWATER 82—Faundo 14, Salvacion 14, Nuyles 12, Artadi 12, Ballesteros 8, Gamalinda 6, Heruela 5, Erram 4, Laure 4, Tiongson 3, Menor 0, Rodriguez 0, Timberlake 0, Celiz 0.

Quarters: 26-21, 46-39, 67-58, 90-82

Second Game

GLOBALPORT 105—Romeo 30, Pringle 13, Buenafe 13, Isip 13, Cabagnot 10, Taha 9, Jensen 8, Ponferada 4, Cabrera 3, Baclao 2, Pinto 0, de Ocampo 0, Caperal 0, Semerad 0.

TALK ‘N TEXT 97—Carey 24, De Ocampo 23, Castro 11, Reyes Ryan 9, Alapag 8, Washington 7, Rosser 6, Fonacier 5, Reyes Rob 4, Alas 0, Seigle 0, Aban 0, Espiritu 0, Aguilar 0.

Quarters: 24-16, 41-39, 70-76, 105-97