Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Mahindra
7 p.m. – Meralco vs Blackwater
The Globalport Batang Pier finally found a way to win after four failed attempts and a wild ending.
Anthony Semerad scored a career-high 24 points capped off by a go-ahead three late in the second overtime period that gave the Batang Pier a thrilling 126-123 victory over the Meralco Bolts last night, ending a 0-4 start in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Semerad’s corner trey with 14.9 seconds left came after Stanley Pringle recovered the loose ball following a missed jumper by Meralco import Allen Durham, attracted the defense of four players, before finding the former San Beda College for the winning shot.
Meralco guard Jonathan Uyloan missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, putting Globalport in the win column despite blowing a six-point lead with seconds remaining in regulation.
“I’m just happy we got our first win,” said Semerad. “We didn’t give up, it’s about just getting back on defense. We didn’t just want to break under pressure.”
Terrence Romeo also scored 24 points for Globalport, import Michael Glover registered 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Pringle made 15 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.
The Batang Pier tied the idle Alaska Aces, Blackwater Elite, and Star Hotshots for 9th to 12th at 1-4.
“Lots of adjustment to our new system, and parang ngayon lang nag-work,” said Globalport coach Johnedel Cardel, who also got a lot of help from team consultant Franz Pumaren.
“We told the guys, especially Semerad, na ready lang siya. The defense collapsed on Stanley, libre si Semerad,” added Cardel.
Meralco dropped to an even 3-3 record despite 55 points from Durham, who registered the most points scored this conference by a player, eclipsing the 52 made by Phoenix reinforcement Eugene Phelps two weeks ago also against Globalport.
Semerad’s winner capped off an 8-2 windup for Globalport, which trailed 122-118 with 2:32 remaining in the second extra session.
Globalport actually had the game in the bag in regulation, leading 100-94 with about 15 seconds left.
Hodge made a three on the ensuing possession, before Romeo turned the ball over and allowed Durham to score a game-tying three-point play off Jay Washington’s foul.
Pringle tried to win it for the Batang Pier on the next play but was blocked by Hodge. He also attempted another shot in the first overtime but his reverse layup rimmed out as time expired. (Waylon Galvez)
In the second game, San Miguel Beer also needed two extra periods to hold off Ginebra San Miguel, 111-105.
Scores:
GLOBALPORT 126 – Glover 26, Romeo 24, Semerad 24, Pringle 15, Yeo 11, Washington 8, Dehesa 8, Kramer 6, Taha 4, Mamaril 0.
MERALCO 123 – Durham 55, Faundo 12, Newsome 10, Hodge 9, Caram 8, Uyloan 6, Buenafe 6, Hugnatan 6, Dillinger 4, Nabong 4, Alapag 3, Amer 0, Bono 0.
Quarters: 21-24; 52-41; 82-71; 100-100 (Reg); 114-114 (1OT); 126-123 (2OT).