Nabong, Grey lead GlobalPort in win over former team Meralco

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Former Meralco players Kelly Nabong and Jonathan Grey led the GlobalPort Batang Pier to a 107-88 rout of the Bolts Sunday in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Nabong triggered the early pullaway as he unleashed eight of his 17 points in the first quarter, where the Batang Pier jumped to a 29-16 lead, before Grey put the Bolts to sleep, dropping 19 of his career-high 24 markers in the second half.

Nabong also hauled down 17 rebounds and had three blocks, eviscerating the Meralco frontline as GlobalPort grabbed a share of the fourth spot with Phoenix, Ran or Shine and TNT at 3-3 card.

“He is really motivated this season. Since we got him, his full potential showed and he’s matured since that incident in Meralco. He’s now one of the best big men in the league,” said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio of his volatile center.

Sean Anthony added 18 points, five boards, and three assists, while Stanley Pringle shot 5-of-8 from downtown to wind up with 17 markers on top of five rebounds, and four dimes for the Batang Pier.

Going 8-of-15 from threes in the first half, GlobalPort continued its attack in the succeeding quarters and at one point, even took a 29-point lead, 94-65, after a jumper by Anthony with 7:19 remaining.

Eeynel Hugnatan and Chris Newsome both finished with an identical 17-point and six-rebound statline in the loss, that sent the Bolts sprawling to a 2-4 record.

The scores:

GLOBALPORT 107 — Grey 24, Anthony 18, Nabong 17, Pringle 17, Gabayni 9, Araña 5, Guinto 5, Juico 4, Sargent 4, Elorde 2, Taha 2, Flores 0.

MERALCO 88 — Hugnatan 17, Newsome 17, Tolomia 15, Baracael 12, Hodge 7, Bono 5, Caram 5, Amer 4, Cañaleta 4, Dillinger 2, Ballesteros 0, Faundo 0, Lanete 0, Salva 0.

Quarters: 29-16, 48-37, 82-60, 107-88.