WHATEVER coach Pido Jarencio said to his wards at halftime certainly worked.
Following a lethargic first half, GlobalPort came out with guns blazing in the second en route to a 94-85 thumping of Barako Bull to advance to the next phase of the quarterfinals of the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Terrence Romeo exploded with a game-high 33 points to go with five rebounds and five assists as he powered GlobalPort, which held a twice-to-beat advantage, to the next round with his stellar play.
With the win, No. 5 seed GlobalPort moved forward to the next phase of the quarters wherein it will figure in a knockout game against either Barangay Ginebra or Star for a berth in the semifinals and a possible date with top seed San Miguel Beer.
“Nag-struggle kami nu’ng first half pero nag-step up ‘yung mga players, especially si Terrence (Romeo), kasi gusto na talaga nila pumasok,” said Jarencio of his wards’ exploits in the second half. “Waiting na lang kami now. Ready kami.”
Realizing that it needs to turn things around, GlobalPort stepped hard on the gas pedal in the third period.
Trailing, 41-48, at the half, the Batang Pier turned the tides in the third by orchestrating a game-changing 18-1 blast in the first six minutes of the quarter to take a commanding 59-49 cushion, the team’s first lead since the first quarter.
Entering the payoff period, Barako Bull managed to trim the deficit to only five, 64-69, after a fightback late in the third to give itself hope in the fourth.
Romeo scored 12 of his points in the third period as he was at the forefront of GlobalPort’s onslaught.
The Energy managed ro stay within striking distance in the next several minutes but the Batang Pier kept its poise and went on to dish out the finishing kick as a vital 17-9 run in the middle of the fourth proved to be the dagger.
That surge restored GlobalPort’s double-digit lead, 86-75, with just 4:04 remaining after a triple from Romeo and the Batang Pier did not look back from there.
Stanley Pringle provided the needed support for GlobalPort, registering a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 94—Romeo 33, Pringle 15, Washington 9, Mamaril 8, Jensen 7, Sumang 6, Yeo 6, Kramer 4, Maierhofer 4, Semerad 2, Hayes 0, Isip 0, Uyloan 0.
BARAKO 85—Wilson 15, Monfort 12, Urbiztondo 12, Intal 11, Pennisi 9, Baracael 8, Brondial 8, Fortuna 4, Lanete 4, Sorongon 2, Caperal 0.
Quarters: 21-25, 41-48, 69-64, 94-85
Games Today
(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
3 p.m. – Rain or Shine
vs. Blackwater
5:15 p.m. – Talk ‘N Text vs. NLEX
