Jay R. Gotera
Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The GlobalPort Batang Pier took full advantage of the import-less Tropang TNT Texters, hacking out a 108-101 victory on Friday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Texters lost their import Ivan Johnson in their last game against Blackwater after he was ejected after committing a second unsportsmanlike foul made even worse by his profanity-laced tirade against PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa moments later. For that, Narvasa issued a lifetime ban on Johnson, which was later downgraded into a ban just this current PBA season.
With TNT still looking for a suitable replacement for Johnson, GlobalPort quickly replaced its own import, tapping Calvin Warner to replace Brian Williams.
Warner, a returning import, arrived in Manila only the night before but still was able to buck jet lag to finish with 11 points, a whopping 21 rebounds, and two blocks in 35 minutes of action.
GlobalPort top scorer Terrence Romeo sizzled all game long finish with a game-high 33 points. Stanley Pringle added 14 markers while rookie Roi Sumang chipped in 11.
The Batang Pier improved to a 2-1 win-loss card in the standings.
Jayson Castro finished with 25 points, five boards, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 34 minutes.
However, the reigning Best Player of the Conference lost out in his duel with Romeo who negated Castro’s triple with a three-pointer of his own, giving GlobalPort a 103-95 lead.
Three other Texters finished in double-digit scoring with Moala Tautuaa posting 21 points, Danny Seigle added 16 while Ranidel de Ocampo chipped in 10.
Blackwater 107, Alaska 101
The Blackwater Elite nailed their first back-to-back wins in their young franchise history, downing Philippine Cup title contenders Alaska Aces, 107-101, who played all-Filipino as their import Rob Dozier was placed on the injured list.
Carlo Lastimosa once again led the Elite in scoring, finishing with 24 points.
The much-improved Reil Cervantes also contributed heavily in the Blackwater victory, scoring 21 points, including three triples in the fourth quarter.
But it was import MJ Rhett who made the biggest splash in the game, posting a big triple-double of 18 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists. Vic Manuel paced Alaska with 20 points while Sonny Thoss had 18 points and eight rebounds.
Games Saturday: Mahindra Enforcers (1-1) vs. San Miguel Beermen (0-0) and NLEX Road Warriors (1-1) vs. Star Hotshots (0-2).
