Stanley Pringle. PBA IMAGES
Globalport laid out the road spikes on NLEX as it stood its ground in the fourth quarter for a 96-90 win in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, the Batang Pier improved to 5-3, good for solo fifth place, while the Road Warriors stumbled to a 4-4 mark, down to seventh.
Globalport head coach Pido Jarencio said the game against NLEX was of utmost importance as they had the same 4-3 records before entering the game, and a win would give them the much needed leeway for the playoffs.
“Before the game, I told the players we need this game against NLEX because we have the same records and at the same time don’t think of those teams at the very top.” Jarencio said whose Batang Pier notched a second straight win. “Three, four, five, six, that’s what I’m after. Just take one game at a time, win as much as we can, beat everyone we can.”
Globalport held an 18-point lead, 73-55, midway through the third but the Road Warriors slowly chipped away at the lead up until the fourth quarter.
NLEX cut the lead to at least four, 84-80, when Garvo Lanete hit a baseline jumper midway through the fourth.
Asi Taulava capped a 7-0 NLEX run from the foul line cutting Batang Pier’s lead to three, 90-87, with 2:00 remaining in the game.
Terrence Romeo had a team-high 29 points for Globalport while backcourt mate Stanley Pringle had 27 points and seven rebounds.
Billy Mamaril had a near double-double for Globalport as he finished with nine points and 13 boards.
Taulava led the Road Warriors with 29 points and 12 rebounds while Sean Anthony had 17 points.