Stanley Pringle. PBA IMAGES
Globalport defeated Star Hotshots for the first time in its young franchise history in a dramatic 91-89 victory Tuesday night in the PBA Governor’s Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.
Stanley Pringle came through in clutch for the Batang Pier as he set up Marc Pingris on an isolation dance and knocked down a short jumper with 12.1 seconds left.
Globalport were 0-9 against Purefoods, which changed its name to Star Hotshots this conference, prior to this victory.
Batang Pier Pido Jarencio head coach said the last-minute play was specifically designed for Pringle even as the top overall pick of the 2014 Draft went up against, arguably, the best defender of this generation.
“It was really a play for Stanley,” Jarencio said.
He added that he has the luxury of four small players that can rise up in clutch situations namely Pringle, Terrence Romeo, Asian import Omar Krayem, and Ronjay Buenafe.
Globalport trailed 82-77 in latter part of he fourth quarter when the Batang Pier started to make it rain.
Romeo started it off with a triple off the left wing to cut the deficit to 82-80, then Krayem caught fire with consecutive triples from the top of the key to give the Batang Pier an 86-82 lead with 4:02 remaining in the game.
“It is the best start for Globalport,” Jarencio said.
He praised import Steve Tomas for giving it all for them even as the big man would only be with the team for a week.
“I just talked to him that he’ll have to do this and that,” Jarencio said. “He’s a true professional.”
Tomas, Globalport’s temporary import, played in Thailand before arriving in the Philippines Monday afternoon.
Romeo gave the Batang Pier an 89-87 lead with 1:51 remaining in the fourth after securing the offensive rebound off a scramble then laying the ball in.
Star almost had a chance to tilt the game in its favor but the near-inbounds-steal went out of bounds.
Krayem led Globalport with 20 points with Romeo and Pringle adding 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Tomas had a 12-point, 16-rebound double-double for Globalport.
Marqus Blakely had 19 points and 17 boards to lead the 1-1 Hotshots. CC
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 91 – Krayem 20, Romeo 17, Pringle 15, Thomas 12, Buenafe 8, Kramer 7, Semerad 3, Miranda 3, Mamaril 2, Isip 2, Jensen 2, Taha 0, Ponferada 0, Pinto 0, Hayes 0.
PUREFOODS 89 – Blakely 19, Yap 12, Mallari 11, Simon 10, Barroca 9, Melton 8, Pingris 6, Devance 5, Pennisi 5, Maliksi 4, Reavis 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0, Alvarez 0.Quarters: 23-16, 38-43, 65-68, 91-89