Blackwater apparently needs more than just a major coaching change.
GlobalPort picked the Elite apart with pure aggressiveness and energy for a persuasive 117-106 win Wednesday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Trailing by as many as 12 in the first half, the Batang Pier reversed the trend with Sean Anthony and Stanley Pringle mocking every defensive ploy thrown by Blackwater.
Anthony poured 13 of his points in that huge third-quarter turnaround while Pringle’s assortment of incursions created the separation that GlobalPort comfortably protected until the final buzzer.
“Blackwater is a tough team despite its record. Luckily, we got into an aggressive tone in the second half,” said Anthony.
The loss spoiled the coaching debut of Bong Ramos for the Elite, who lost their fourth straight in as many games.
Ramos replaced coach Leo Isaac after Blackwater dropped three in a row—a stretch where they lost by an average of 17 points and committed an average of 28 turnovers.
The Elite weren’t hounded by miscues Wednesday night but they couldn’t match Global Port’s depth and prowess.
Anthony was two assists shy of a triple-double after compiling 29 points and 13 rebounds while Pringle added 26 points, six boards and seven assists.
Malcolm White had 28 points, most of them forceful moves in the lane, and Mo Tautuaa contributed 14 points and 10 boards.
The Batang Pier moved up tied for second place with a 2-1 record along with Columbian Dyip.
The Elite tried to spark a late rally after falling by 18 late in the third, with Mac Belo capping a charge that had Blackwater storming to within five.
But Anthony and Pringle rebooted GlobalPort’s offense and allowed the Batang Pier to weather the storm.
In the second game, Jay Washington made huge shots late in the game to carry Rain Or Shine to a scrambling 98-97 win over NLEX.
Reggie Johnson also played hero for the Elasto Painters, splitting his free throws that pegged the final count.