[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

[VIDEO] Eric Bledsoe sends defender shaking to the stands

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)

[INJURY] Ian Sangalang latest victim of the injury bug

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)

Blatche is the second highest scorer in World Cup

It may be over, but Andray Blatche continues to impress fans around the globe. And a few NBA scouts.

The naturalized big man was the second ranked scorer in the recently concluded FIBA World Cup.Blatche was tied with Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic with 21.2 points per game. Spain's Pau Gasol came at fourth with 20.0 points per outing. Rounding out the top 5 was Argentinian Luis Scola with 19.2 points.

But the leading scorer will surprise you. It's not France's Nicolas Batum, who torched Serbia and Lithuania in his last two games. It js also not tournament MVP Kyrie Irving, who waxed hot in the final game. And no, Jimmy Alapag is NOT the leading scorer.

The best scorer award goes to Puerto Rico's diminuitive point guard, Jose Juan Barea. The guy who broke many a Filipino's heart with 30 points. He normed 22.0 points in 5 games.

Below is the official infographic provided by the FIBA Facebook page.(GS)

Douthit allowed to play in Incheon

After facing contreversy, the Philippines will finally be able to field in a naturalized player.

The Incheon Asian Games Olympic Council has flashed the green light for Marcus Douthit to play at the Asian Games, after Iran and South Korea reportedly seeked to disqualify the said player.

During a technical meeting in Incheon, the decision was formalized. Before the meeting, the Olympic Council of Asia requested that the IAGOC allow Douthit to play.

The IAGOC's rules state that roster changes may be made in an event of an injury, as what happened with Jayson Castro. Since Douthit will come in due to eligibility issues with Andray Blatche, the two teams question the former's qualifications.

With Marcus now allowed to play, Gilas Pilinas will be able to field in a complete 12-man roster comprised of Jared Dillinger and Gary David of Meralco, Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk n' Text, LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel, Marc Pingris of Grand Slam champions San Mig Coffee, and Paul Lee, whose team is still unknown (GS)

He's back: Jimmy Alapag to play once more in Asian Games

Welcome back, Kapitan.

Jimmy Alapag, who has previously decided to retire from international duty, will once again lace his shoes for Team Pilipinas, as per Coach Chot Reyes' tweet

Just finished mtg w Jimmy Alamat, er @JAlapag3 . 2 words - "I'm in." pic.twitter.com/2lbRc2AEuc
— Chot Reyes (@coachot) September 11, 2014

The decision arose from numerous issues, namely, eligibility issues (Blatche, Norwood, and Dillinger), contract issues (Lee), and injuries (Lee again, Pingris, Castro).

The issue-plagued Asian Games start on September 20, though the Philippines will skip the preliminary round as a result of them placing second in the FIBA Asia Championships. They are seeded with continent rivals Iran at Group E. They play a TBA-team on September 23. (GS)

Opinion on Blatche case: If you want the gold medal, then get it by basketball

If you have not been living under a rock for the past few days, you may know that Andray Blatche's nationality is under the microscope right now.

With all the hype surrounding this issue, speculations have emerged that South Korea is blatantly manipulating the rules to win the gold medal.

What I have to say is: If you want it, then get it with basketball.

You (SoKor) want the gold. Everybody loves gold. We'll do anything to get to the top of the podium. But, please, just please, win the medal with basketball. Don't play dirty. Win games to win the gold.

Seriously, you guys are taking it over the top. Maybe you are envious of our achievements, how we managed to stay close against the world's best, while you floundered in your group (no offense, but that's the truth). We know you fear Gilas Pilipinas, admit it or admit it. You know Blatche is a big thorn on your plans. We know you also fear Quincy Davis III and Chinese Taipei.

It's not about Blatche's importance to the team. Heck, we'd be glad to have Big Daddy Marcus back. What we're fighting for is our rights. The rights you have trampled. Give us a solid reason why you disqualified him just now, during the Asian Games you host and not during the 2014 World Cup. (GS)

P.S Shoutout to all G9-Silver reading this!