By JEROME LAGUNZAD
Forward Sean Anthony did a little bit of everything last night as GlobalPort compounded the woes of struggling Blackwater, 117-106, for its second straight victory in the 2018 PBA Commissioners Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The 6-foot-4 Anthony came two assists shy of a triple-double with 29 points and 13 rebounds, doing most of the damage down the stretch where he teamed up with top guard Stanley Pringle to help the Batang Pier hold off the Elite’s late fightback.
Pringle, the spark plug behind their offensive explosion in the third period, finished with 26 points, seven assists and six rebounds while import Malcolm White added 28 points and 10 rebounds as GlobalPort earned a strong follow-up to an 86-85 win over Meralco last Friday and improved its mark to 2-1.
“Marami pang kailangan ayusin pero at least ‘yung chemistry andun na,” said Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio, whose wards trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but turned it around with a 35-point outburst in the third period.
Reinforcement Jarrid Famous had another monster showing of 41 points and 22 rebounds while Mike DiGregorio added 19 points that all went down the drain as the Elite suffered their fourth straight setback and failed to give new tactician Bong Ramos a triumphant league comeback.
Fil-Tongan big man Moala Tautuaa, back from a one-game suspension, also made his presence felt for GlobalPort with 14 points, 12 of those coming in the opening half, and added 10 rebounds in 34 efficient minutes of play.
It was Blackwater, however, which set the tone early on as the Elite showed up with a renewed vigour and played true to their potential, building a lead as high as 12 points – twice – the last off a DiGregorio runner and took a 64-60 lead at the break.
But the Batang Pier suddenly regained their offensive groove in the third where they unloaded a decisive 18-4 run, highlighted by 11 unanswered points in which six of those came from Pringle, turning a close 79-77 count into a 97-81 advantage.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 117 – Anthony 29, White 28, Pringle 26, Tautuaa 14, Elorde 6, Grey 5, Araña 4, Guinto 3, Sargent 2, Teng 0, Gabayni 0, Viernes 0.
BLACKWATER 106 – Famous 41, DiGregorio 19, Belo 11, Erram 11, Sumang 10, Sena 7, Maliksi 5, Marcelo 2, Cruz 0, Pinto 0.
Quarters: 30-35, 62-64, 97-81, 117-106.
