GLOBALPORT got a big scare from KIA before hacking out a 108-91 win to bolster its bid for a playoffs berth in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Sean Anthony and Kelly Nabong shared scoring honor for the Batang Pier with 21 points each, but it was Stanley Pringle who bailed the team out of trouble to get back at the .500 mark with a 5-5 record for a tie at sixth to seventh place with Barangay Ginebra.
The prolific Fil-Am guard scored nine of his 15 points in the payoff period, including six in a row that stopped the momentum of the rallying Picanto.
"May ganun eh, momentum. Pero bumalik din naman sa amin," said winning coach Pido Jarencio after the game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang Pier were in full control of the match when the Picanto suddenly came back to life behind Reden Celda and rookie JonJon Gabriel.
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The two connive in a blistering KIA run that suddenly turned the table around.
Celda hit six straight points, including a three-point play to push Picanto on top, 85-84, at the 7:58 mark.
Good thing, there was Pringle to save the day for Globalport.
The former Rookie of the Year fired back-to-back three-pointers to restore order for the Batang Pier, 90-85.
And that was all the team needed to regain its bearing, finishing the game strong behind a 24-6 run.
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"It was a total team effort. Gusto talaga nila pumasok sa playoffs," added Jarencio about the Batang Pier.
Nabong added 11 rebounds in another double-double effort for Globalport, which also got 12 points from rookie Julian Sargent.
Celda showed the way for the Picanto with 20 points, while Gabriel added 17 and 11 rebounds. Also finishing in double-double for the team was Eric Camson with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite their numbers, the effort was not enough as KIA fell further in the standings with a 1-9 record with one game left in its schedule - against defending champion San Miguel. (RG)
