May 16, 2018

Malcolm White endures back spasm, powers GlobalPort past NLEX


GlobalPort made a quick turnaround from a loss to Magnolia the last time out, clicking on both ends in smothering NLEX, 116-94, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

The Batang Pier rebounded strong from their 87-92 defeat at the hands of the Hotshots and went above the .500 mark once again with three wins against two losses.

"We played good basketball. Ang taas ng shooting percentage namin and at the same time, we defended well. Dumepensa kami ng maganda, at sumunod na ang opensa namin," said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio on their A1 game handing the Road Warriors a fourth loss against a lone win.

"We just keep on improving, though, we still have to work on our consistency. I have to commend the players, especially our import," Jarencio also said.

Malcolm White endured back spasm that has been hounding him since their Magnolia game, coming through with 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Batang Pier to a third win following earlier triumphs over Meralco and Blackwater.
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Sean Anthony, Stanley Pringle, Nico Elorde and Julian Sargent formed a lethal starting unit with White while Moala Tautuaa provided a big help coming off the bench.

The GlobalPort starting five blasted its NLEX counterparts, 86-55.

Anthony led all scorer with 21 points while Pringle churned out solid all-around numbers with 19 markers, eight assists, six rebounds and five steals.

Elorde continued to improve, coming up with 16 markers, five dish-offs and five boards while Sargent had his moment, getting away with 10 points on top of two rebounds.

Tautuaa thrived on off-the-bench role, firing away 13 markers, including a thunderous two-handed jam in a strong start by GlobalPort in the fourth quarter to open an 18-point spread at 90-72.
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And the Batang Pier simply breezed through against the NLEX side that continued to struggle, curiously after a strong fourth-place finish in the recent all-Filipino tourney.

The Road Warriors engaged the Batang Pier in a nip-and-tuck battle only in the first few minutes of the game.

GlobalPort seized a six-point lead, 26-20, at the end of the first quarter and held onto the lead all the way to the finish.(SB).
The scores:

GLOBALPORT 116 - Anthony 21, White 20, Pringle 19, Elorde 16, Tautuaa 13, Sargent 10, Arana 6, Grey 6, Javelona 3, Guinto 2, Teng 0.

NLEX 94 - Ravena 24, Moultrie 19, Fonacier 11, Ighalo 8, Qui?ahan 6, Mallari 6, Buenafe 5, Miranda 5, Monfort 3, Soyud 3, Tiongson 2, Gotladera 2, Baguio 0.

Quarterscores: 26-20, 55-43, 86-72, 116-94.