Globalport withstands PJ Ramos, Kia in Commissioner’s Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines—Globalport overcame Kia Motors and its hulking import PJ Ramos to win, 100-89, at the start of the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Batang Pier led by as much as 24 points in the second quarter and took an 88-69 lead early in the fourth quarter but needed to survive the Ramos-powered Carnival down the stretch.

Ramos, the 7-foot-4 Puerto Rican giant, single-handedly brought Kia back into the game with 26 of his game-high 41 points in the second half. He had 15 points alone in the fourth quarter where the Carnival came to within seven, 92-85, with 4:58 left.

Ramos, playing as menacingly as he looked, also grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out six assists with three blocks to boot.

“They ate us up in the frontcourt,” said Globalport head coach Eric Gonzales. “We’re not a big team so we have to work hard in the backcourt.”

CJ Leslie was just as impressive as his counterpart with 33 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and five blocks for the Batang Pier, who shot 51 percent from the field.

“Past two games during tuneups he (Leslie) was still adjusting with the weather and the way basketball is played here,” said Gonzales. “But it looks like he’s adjusting quickly.”

Jewel Ponferada, who was the primary defender assigned to Ramos, made an emphatic dunk over Reil Cervantes off a setup by Stanley Pringle that gave Globalport a nine-point cushion before Pringle’s layup and a jumper by Terrence Romeo put the game away, 98-85, with 2:25 remaining.

Missing another game for his team, Kia playing coach Manny Pacquiao is still in the US after being one of the judges in the Miss Universe pageant.

Romeo led all locals in scoring with 19 points while Pringle had 17 points and eight rebounds.