THE GLOBALPORT Batang Pier snapped the Meralco Bolts’ three-game win streak while ending their own slump, pulling off an impressive 91-79 win last night in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
In snapping a three-game slide, the Batang Pier registered their biggest comeback win in their young franchise history as they clawed back from a 20-point second quarter deficit to bag their third win in seven games.
The win erased the stigma of Globalport’s sorry 97-98 loss to the Barako Bull Energy Colas, where they squandered a 15-point fourth quarter lead.
Markeith Cummings showed the way for the Batang Pier with a game-high 32 points, while Gary David added 21 points.
David keyed the Batang Pier’s searing rally in the third, where he unloaded 14 of his total point that helped his team move to within 60-63 going into the payoff period after trailing, 28-44, at the half.
The Bolts failed in their bid to solidify their hold of second place and instead found themselves in a four-way tie at second place.
Meralco, Barako Bull, Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffe now all have 4-3 (win-loss) records.
Import Mario West paced the Bolts with 22 points but fouled in the final 1:55 of the contest.
Mike Cortez failed to score a single point in his debut with the Bolts. Cortez moved from Air21 to Meralco in favor of veteran center Asi Taulava.
BOX SCORES:
GLOBALPORT (91)- Cummings 32, David 21, Mercado 15, Washington 10, Taha 4, Miller 3, Mandani 2, Thiele 2, Salvador 2, Lingganay 0, Alonzo 0.
MERALCO (79)- West 22, Hugnatan 19, Wilson 16, Hodge 9, Cardona 7, Reyes 4, Allado 2, Guevarra 0, Ross 0, Timberlake 0, Cortez 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 13-23, 28-44, 60-63, 91-79. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA