Games Tomorrow (Smart Araneta)
4:30 p.m. – Meralco vs Blackwater
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs TNT Katropa
By WAYLON GALVEZ
The song remains the same for Globalport.
Almost half of the Batang Pier’s roster is new, but the team’s fate remains in the hands of 1-2 combination Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle.
The dynamic duo led the way in an impressive 97-75 debut win over the Mahindra Floodbuster in the PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Romeo, the scoring champion last season, exploded for 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting with six assists, while Pringle had 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists as Globalport earned its first franchise win on a season-opening game.
Romeo and Pringle were not without strong support obtained through trades during the off-season.
One of them is JR Quiñahan, who finished with 10 points and seven rebounds in his first game with the team since his acquisition in a one-on-one deal with Rain or Shine for Jay Washington.
Globalport coach Franz Pumaren, appointed to the post after serving as ‘active’ consultant in the previous Governors’ Cup, said that while they were able to score a big win, their performance nonetheless left a lot of room for improvement.
“Mahindra is just like us, they’re adjusting to each other. So it was a good opportunity for us. We had limited time to prepare our team, but it was still a good win for us,” said Pumaren.
“We’re able to adjust right away. We’re still searching, still groping for form and adjusting to the new system.”
With him formally on board, Pumaren said they were able to get the players he mentioned as part of his ‘wish list’ like Quiñahan, as well as KG Cañaleta, Aaron Aban, Mick Pennisi and Mike Cortez.
Cañaleta signed as a free agent, while Aban, Pennisi and Cortez were obtained through trades with TNT Katropa, Phoenix and Blackwater. The team also signed rookies Von Pessumal and Jessie Saitanan.
Globalport alternate governor and AirAsia executive Erick Arejola said management is grateful to Adamson for allowing Pumaren, recruited by team owner Mikee Romero, to coach the team.
“We hope Franz can achieve what he had just accomplished for Adamson in the UAAP,” said Arejola.
Scores:
GLOBALPORT 97 – Romeo 29, Pringle 16, Quinahan 10, Canaleta 9, Pessumal 8, Aban 5, Pennisi 5, Semerad 5, Maierhofer 4, Mamaril 4, Saitanan 2, Cortez 0, Dehesa 0, Paredes 0.
MAHINDRA 75 – Mallari 17, Deutchman 14, Apinan 10, Celda 10, Escoto 6, Revilla 5, Yee 5, Digregorio 4, Arana 2, Eriobu 2, Salva 0, Paniamogan 0, Nimes 0, Galanza 0, Ballesteros 0.
Quarters: 24-19, 46-28, 70-45, 97-75.
