Globalport rallies to nip Meralco, 91-79

MANILA, Philippines – Globalport took the cue from its heartbreaking loss to Barako Bull Sunday, making its own final-half turnaround to turn back Meralco, 91-79, and move back into strong contention for the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Blowing away an 18-point lead in their bitter loss to the Energy Cola, the Batang Pier this time overcame a 20-point deficit to snap a three-game losing skid and climb back to the Top Eight at 3-4.

Sol Mercado, who had a crucial lapse at endgame versus Barako Bull, vowed to redeem himself in this game and he did, firing away killer bombs at the finish to stop the Bolts’ three-game streak.

Meralco thus moved down to a heavy four-way jam at second place with Barako Bull, Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffee at 4-3.

“I commend Sol for being brave enough to talk to the team yesterday (Tuesday). He owned up his shortcoming and promised to do better the next time. This is that time,” said Globalport coach Junel Baculi. 

The Batang Pier had a chance to salvage the game versus the Energy Cola but forgot to use one remaining timeout after Markeith Cummings grabbed the defensive rebound with six seconds left to play.

There was no reminder from the coaching staff during the timeout, and no one from among five players on the court thought of calling the timeout, and Barako went on to escape with a 98-97 nail-biter.

“We used the Sunday loss as a motivation. We have nothing to blame but ourselves. We rose as a team,” said Baculi as they got back on track, already matching the three wins the young franchise notched in the season’s first two conferences.

“We have to learn and hopefully we be gatecrashers in the quarterfinals,” Baculi also said.

Things became a lot easier for the Batang Pier as Meralco import Mario West drew his fifth foul with over 13 minutes left to play. He eventually fouled out inside the last two minutes.

Cummings kept on attacking the foul-troubled West as he, together with Gary David, spearheaded Globalport’s decisive comeback from 44-28 down at the half.

The Batang Pier eventually surged ahead at 65-63 on a basket by rookie center Yousef Taha at the start of the fourth and refused to slow down, pulling away at the finish.

Cummings wound up with 32 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while David ended up with 21 markers and four boards.

Mercado scored 15 points all in the second half.

Making just five in the first half, David sizzled with three triples and a total of 14 points in the third quarter.