WITH all guns ablaze, GlobalPort Batang Pier stamped its class to demolish the Meralco Bolts, 107-88, in a lopsided affair in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
GlobalPort was led by two former Meralco players in Jonathan Grey and Kelly Nabong. Grey had his breakout game, exploding with a game-high 24 points and five rebounds to spearhead the Batang Pier’s attack.
Likewise as impressive, Nabong continued to be a revelation as he played a monster game with a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds on top of three blocks. Both players are Meralco castoffs.
The victory moved GlobalPort (3 wins, 3 losses) to a fourth place tie with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-3), TNT KaTropa (3-3) and the Phoenix Petroleum Fuelmasters. Meralco dropped to the lower half with its 2-4 slate.
GlobalPort won three of its last four games after a 0-2 start this campaign.
It was basically a one-sided affair in favor of the Batang Pier from start to finish.
GlobalPort raced to a rousing start, unleashing a first quarter surge to pounce on Meralco and hold a sizeable 29-16 spread entering the second frame.
Halfway into the second canto, the Batang Pier hiked its lead to 20 points, 42-22, to grasp full control and continue its sizzling start.
It was more of the same story in the second half where GlobalPort continued to pound on the Bolts and even stretched its lead to a high of 28 points on several occasions in the last 24 minutes.
GlobalPort’s top two gunners were also steady as expected. Sean Anthony added 18 points while Stanley Pringle had 17.
The inconsistent Bolts were unable to find any rhythm at any point as they got ran out of the building by the rising Batang Pier.
Reynel Hugnatan led Meralco with a team-high 17 points.
Meanwhile, a blockbuster clash between league-leading San Miguel Beer (5-0) and Barangay Ginebra (2-3) is currently unfolding as of this report.
The Beermen want to remain unscathed and move closer to a spot in the quarterfinals. The Gin Kings are desperately trying to end their slump.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT BATANG PIER 107 – Grey 24, Anthony 18, Pringle 17, Nabong 17, Gabayni 9, Araña 5, Guinto 5, Sargent 4, Juico 4, Elorde 2, Taha 2, Flores 0.
MERALCO BOLTS 88 – Newsome 17, Hugnatan 17, Tolomia 15, Baracael 12, Hodge 7, Caram 5, Bono 5, Amer 4, Canaleta 4, Dillinger 2, Salva 0, Lanete 0, Ballesteros 0, Faundo 0.
Quarter scores: 29-16, 48-37, 82-60, 107-88.
