[PBA PH CUP] Pringle-led GlobalPort dispatches Barako Bull

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

GlobalPort matches highest win total with rout of Alaska

Cyrus Baguio (right) tries to block the lay-up of Terrence Romeo

Sol Mercado had 26 points, while Romeo finally broke out of his shooting slump to have 21 points to power GlobalPort over Alaska ,94-84, to have a three-game winning streak in the 2013 PLDT-myDSL PBA Philippine Cup.

Their win total, four, matches their highest win total in franchise history, where they set a 4-5 record, en route to their first playoff appearance, where they were eliminated by Rain or Shine.

Romeo had his mindset on shooting, as he torched the Aces with 13 points in the first quarter. The first canto ended, 28-20, with the Batang Pier ahead by eight.

With the Alaska defense now collapsing on the 2013 UAAP MVP, it was Mercado's turn to catch fire. The Biola University product exploded for 16 points in the second quarter to lead by as much as 21 in the period. The first half ended, 55-35, with GlobalPort sitting comfortably on a 20-point cushion.

The Batang Pier took care of their lead, and they mercilessly turned down any effort of the Aces for a comeback. The former never led by single digits in the second half, save for a RJ Jazul triple that brought the Aces to within eight, 92-84, with 20.9 ticks left in the clock.

Jay Washington and RR Garcia contributed thirteen points apiece for GlobalPort, while Mark Yee added ten points for good measure.

Jayvee Casio led the charge for Alaska with 28 points, but back-court partner Cyrus Baguio still struggled for eight points. Gabby Espinas and Jazul had 13 and 10, respectively. Alaska also missed the services of scrappy forward Calvin Abueva, who suffered a sprain in one Alaska practice. (GS)

The scores:

GlobalPort 94 – Mercado 26, Romeo 21, Washington 13, Garcia 13, Yee 10, Chua 3, Hayes 3, Lingganay 2, Nabong 2, Menk 1, Salva 0, Salvador 0.

Alaska 84 – Casio 28, Thoss 13, Jazul 10, Espinas 9, Baguio 8, Ramos 7, Exciminano 6, Buenafe 3, Belasco 0, Dela Cruz 0, Hontiveros 0, Eman 0.

Quarterscores: 27-20, 55-35, 77-58, 94-84.