Batang Pier nip Aces in OT, nail No.4

GLOBALPORT import Jarrid Famous (right) beats Alaska’s Calvin Abueva to the rebound as Stanley Pringle looks on in yesterday’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Globalport needed extra time to dust off an Alaska side that played at half-strength in the second half Tuesday night, scoring a 117-104 win at Smart Araneta Coliseum that gave the Batang Pier the last twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.

Jarrid Famous scored 16 of his 34 points in the third period and Stanley Pringle had 10 of his 24 in the fourth as the Batang Pier finished No. 4 in the elimination round —the first time they wound up in the league’s top four before the playoffs.

Already assured of the No. 1 spot going into the game that meant nothing to them, the Aces benched import Romeo Travis in both the second half and in overtime, even though Alaska nearly pulled this one out.

The local core joined Travis one after the other on the bench and Alaska finished the game with its shock troopers resting. It had reason to, the Aces even took a 100-99 lead with 4:02 remaining after a left-handed baby hook by Eric Menk.

“We took advantage of Alaska playing all-Filipino in the second half,” Globalport’s Pido Jarencio, who earned another first in his career as a coach, told reporters later.

The Aces finished their elimination round assignment with a 7-4 record and, with the win, relegated Star to No. 5 at best should the Hotshots beat ousted Blackwater in the nightcap.

Alaska, second to San Miguel Beer in this season’s Philippine Cup, showed its readiness for the playoffs even with its bench players finishing the game.

Globalport, which will draw Star if it wins over Blackwater—and would need to beat the defending champion Hotshots just once to make the Final Four—allowed the Aces to score only a point at the final 1-minute mark of overtime for 112-102.

Terrence Romeo, who wasn’t on the floor when the Batang Pier rallied in the third and fourth quarters, made up for lost time by shooting Globalport’s final 10 points.

Cyrus Baguio led the Aces with 20, while Travis, despite playing just over 17 minutes, still finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Globalport bungled a 91-86 lead with 5:04 left in regulation and needed two free throws from Pringle with 39.8 seconds left off a Ping Exciminiano foul to forge extension at 98-all.

San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine will be ranked second and third, respectively, in the playoffs and will play Nos. 7 and 6, in that order. The Beermen and the Elasto Painters also need to win just once to forge a Final Four duel.

Should Alaska and Globalport hurdle their foes in the first round, they will collide in the semifinals, which will be best-of-five affairs.

The scores:

First Game

GLOBALPORT 117—Famous 34, Pringle 24, Krayem 20, Romeo 14, Jensen 11, Kramer 8, Mamaril 2, Isip 2, Miranda 2, Hayes 0, Semerad 0, Buenafe 0, Ponferada 0.

ALASKA 104—Baguio 20, TRavis 13, Banchero 10, Menk 10, Abueva 8, Jazul 8, Manuel 6, Casio 5, Dela Cruz 5, Thoss 4, Baclao 4, Dela Rosa 4, Exciminiano 4, Hontiveros 2, Eman 1.

Quarters: 16-26, 40-49, 74-67, 98-98 (reg.),  117-104 (OT)