Terrence Romeo was playing with flu-like symptoms but let the enemy feel the heat in overtime Sunday night.
The 5-foot-11 point guard scored eight of his 21 points in overtime and Stanley Pringle drilled in 19 and had a career-high 17 rebounds as the duo led GlobalPort to a 105-91 victory over Barako Bull in the PBA Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“He actually missed two practices and only worked out with us yesterday (Saturday),” GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio said in Filipino of Romeo. “I was managing his time for this game because of that, but we all saw what he can do out there. He really wants to win.”
Star, the champion here two seasons ago, improved to 2-2 after nipping NLEX, 97-95, in the nightcap.
The Hotshots almost blew a 19-point lead and had to slug it out tooth-and-nail in a wild endgame with the Road Warriors, who took a first loss in three games.
PAOLO Taha of GlobalPort draws a foul from Michael Miranda of Barako Bull in yesterday’s match at Philsports Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Romeo played just 28 minutes coming off the bench, and Pringle played steadily while dishing out five assists, the last coming with 49 seconds left that led to a Jay Washington triple for 95-89 going into the final 49 seconds.
GlobalPort won for the second straight game after debuting with a lopsided loss to San Miguel Beer, but the Energy made the Batang Pier work extra time on this one after JC Intal forged extension at 85-all with a jumper at the buzzer.
Barako Bull, which was seeking to follow up an upset 82-79 conquest of Barangay Ginebra last week, scored the first basket in overtime through Willy Wilson but would only score four more the rest of the way.
The scores:
First Game
GLOBALPORT 105—Romeo 21, Pringle 19, Kramer 14, Yeo 13, Washington 11, Maierhofer 9, Jensen 8, Sumang 4, Mamaril 2, Taha 2, Uyloan 2, Pena 0.
BARAKO BULL 91—Intal 17, Wilson 14, Cruz 13, Lanete 13, Fortuna 9, GArcia 8, Urbiztondo 7, Pennisi 6, Baracael 4, Caperal 0, Monfort 0, Sorongon 0.
Quarters: 29-18, 45-42, 66-69, 85-85 (reg.), 105-91
Second Game
STAR 97—Simon 21, Yap 19, Mallari 14, Melton 13, Pascual J. 11, Sangalang 10, Maliksi 4, Pingris 3, Taha 2, Barroca 0, Pascual R. 0, Torres 0.
NLEX 95—Anthony 28, Taulava 18, Alas 10, Enciso 9, Apinan 7, Lanete 6, Villanueva E. 6, Camson 4, Khobuntin 4, Villanueva J. 2, Cardona 1, Borboran 0. Reyes 0.
Quarters: 24-20, 47-37, 78-63, 97-95