The GlobalPort Batang Pier weathered a huge storm by the Phoenix Fuel Masters to pull away wih a 100-91 in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
New Batang Pier import Murphy Holloway, who replaced the ineffective Jabril Trawick, had an impressive PBA debut, scoring 29 points and 26 boards for the Batang Pier who almost squandered a 30-point lead.
Terrence Romeo added 21 points as GlobalPort (1-1) notched its first win of the young conference.
The Batang Pier dominated right from the get-go en route to a commanding 75-45 lead in the third frame.
But the Fuel Masters woke up in the final quarter, launching a 24-6 run capped by triples from RJ Jazul and JC Intal to trim their deficit to just five points, 88-83, with 2:56 remaining.
Romeo and Holloway doused Phoenix’ rally by scoring 10 of GlobalPort’s next 12 points to keep the Fuel Masters at bay.
Eugene Phelps finished with 32 points and 17 boards but struggled from the field, only making 12 out of his 28 shots as he had a difficult time overcoming GlobalPort’s double-teams on him.
Phoenix (2-1) badly missed the offensive output of Matthew Wright who returned to his club after serving the national team last week in the William Jones Cup. The rookie gunner only had four points on four free throw makes and missed all of his six shots.
The scores:
GLOBALPORT 100 – Holloway 29, Romeo 21, Arana 13, Pringle 11, Anthony 9, Grey 5, Van Opstal 4, Guinto 3, Pennisi 3, Ababou 0, Cortez 0, Mamaril 0.
PHOENIX 91 – Phelps 32, Eriobu 11, Intal 11, Jazul 10, Baguio 5, Alolino 5, Dehesa 5, W. Wilson 4, Wright 4, J. Wilson 2, Kramer 2, Hayes 0, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 26-15, 54-36, 82-59, 100-91.