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GlobalPort used a late run to hold off Kia, 108-91, and bolster its bid for a quarterfinals berth in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Smart Aranetea Coliseum.
The Batang Pier blew a 16-point lead in the third quarter before answering with a 24-6 run in the last seven minutes and 39 seconds of the game.
“Our position got better with this win and we’re not focusing on getting the No. 6 spot to avoid facing one of the top two teams which have a twice-to-beat advantage,” said GlobalPort head coach Pido Jarencio, whose team climbed to 5-5.
Kelly Nabong powered GlobalPort with an impressive effort on both ends, finishing with 21 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks while Sean Anthony and Stanley Pringle came up big in the fourth quarter that kept the Picanto at bay.
Anthony also wound up with 21 points, six coming in the final frame while Pringle shot nine of his 15 points in the fourth.
Kia momentarily took the lead, 85-84, after Reden Celda hit a 3-pointer and completed a three-point play with 7:58 remaining.
But Pringle responded with his personal 6-0 spurt, hitting back-to-back triples to put the Batang Pier ahead for good, 90-85, with 6:49 to go.
GlobalPort kept its foot on the gas pedal with a basket by Jeric Teng to beat the shot clock buzzer reestablishing a double-digit advantage before Julian Sargent put the game away by sinking a right corner triple off good ball movement, 103-87, with 1:37 left.
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