This time, there were no breakdowns.
GlobalPort, banking on the brillant quarterbacking of top rookie Stanley Pringle, made sure that no fourth-quarter meltdowns will occur, en route to a resounding 91-81 win during the 2014-15 PBA Philippine Cup.
Pringle, the first overall pick in the 2014 PBA Draft, showed everyone why he is the top rookie, compiling 19 points, 8 rebounds, four on the offensive end, and two assists. Alex Cabagnot led the Batang Pier with a near double-double of 21 points and nine boards, along with four assists. Yancy de Ocampo and Mark Isip, two newly acquired big men for the team, also contributed fairly, scoring 12 markers apiece.
With this win, Pido Jarencio of the Batang Pier may have another lease on his coaching life, after dropping a 101-96 heartbreaker against the NLEX Road Warriors, despite leading after the end of three quarters.
Meanwhile, Barako Bull falls to the cellar, after similarly losing a double-overtime contest against Meralco, 112-108, in their opening game. Burly guard Denok Miranda led the charge for the Energy with 16 points, while RR Garcia, who was with GlobalPort two conferences ago, and Dave Marcelo both had 12 points. (GS)
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 91 – Cabagnot 21, Pringle 19, Isip 12, De Ocampo 12, Romeo
9, Jensen 7, Bacalao 6, Semerad 5, Taha 0, Buenafe 0, Duncil 0,
Ponferada 0, Nabong 0.
BARAKO BULL 81 – Miranda 16, Garcia 12, Marcelo 12, Fortuna 10, Intal
8, Lastimosa 6, Salva 5, Pascual 5, Lanete 5, Wilson 2, Salvador 0,
Paredes 0, Pennisi 0.
Quarterscores: 25-21, 48-47, 74-67, 91-81
We know Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns can rattle defenders pretty well. We didn't know he could send them to the crowd.
On a preseason game at the Staples Center, the "mini-LeBron" of the Desert showed off his handles. After crossing over Jared Cunningham, Bledsoe immediately does a hesitation move, leaving poor Jared crashing to the cameraman. He, however missed the three-point attempt that followed.
Personally, I think Jared was extremely lucky that the camera-man was there, or else we would see him stumbling to the other side of America. Also, this is a PRE-SEASON GAME. Only a basketball-crazy fan will watch an offseason game, much less the second half of that game.(GS)
Looks like Purefoods' title defense will get a little bit harder.
Purefoods' sophomore big man Ian Sangalang suffered a devastating injury in his right in the 73-93 Star Hotshot defeat against Alaska.
Sangalang awkwardly landed on his right foot after a rebounding battle against Sam Eman. After grimacing in pain on the floor for a few minutes, he got up, shot (and missed) both charities, and limped back on defense. He was substituted afterwards, and immediately went straight to the locker room to get checked on.
Initial readings of the big man's MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) showed two partial tears in the ACL, the same ligament that Derrick Rose tore in 2011, and the MCL, another crucial ligament of the knee .He would have to undergo surgery, and will be sidelined for five to eight months.
“Bad break. First game of the season and he’s out. I have
to talk to coach Tim (Cone). Do we need to cut short Ping’s (Marc
Pingris’) vacation now. Kung sa akin, ayoko. Ping deserves that vacation.” Purefoods' top official Rene Pardo stated.
With a Grand Slam under their belt, the Star Hotshots have a target behind them. And this latest injury seems to widen the bulls-eye on that target. (GS)
