Globalport in, Ginebra out

MANILA, Philippines – Globalport slammed the door on Ginebra San Miguel last night, winning in overtime, 84-83, and breaking the hearts of all the fans that had hoped to see Ginebra advance in the PBA Philippine Cup.

The Batang Pier defied great odds during the knockout game and reached the semifinals for the first time in four seasons in the PBA. They face Alaska Milk in a best-of-seven semis starting Jan. 4.

Ginebra, which pulled off a magical win over Star on Christmas Day, struggled against Globalport. The Gin Kings had several chances to win in regulation but this time it wasn’t meant to be.

Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo delivered the goods for Globalport, the heavy underdog. They combined for 48 points or more than half of the team’s total output.

Pringle drove strong to the hoop and scored over Ginebra giant Greg Slaughter to give the Batang Pier an 84-80 lead with 58.6 seconds left in overtime.

Japeth Aguilar scored three unanswered points to narrow the gap to within one. Globalport was left with eight seconds on the clock and held on to the ball until the buzzer.

Pringle was trapped by Ginebra defenders near centercourt and passed the ball up just moments before the buzzer, triggering a wild celebration near the Globalport bench.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone cried for a ball-hogging (five-second) violation on Pringle after the buzzer. But there’s nothing that could change the outcome of the game.

That’s unless Ginebra decides to put the game under protest. PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial said the Gin Kings have until noon today to file a formal protest.

Ginebra can also claim that Pringle was fouled by either Sol Mercado or Slaughter in the closing seconds. Cone declined to be interviewed after the game.

“Breaks of the game. I thought there was a foul (on Pringle) but it was not called. We deserve the win. We deserve to be in the semis,” said Globalport coach Pido Jarencio.

Team owner Mikee Romero, who was not at the venue, can’t believe what his Batang Pier had accomplished against a team like Ginebra.

“I’m speechless. We beat Ginebra in a knockout game. I still can’t believe it,” he said on the phone.

Ginebra fans who erupted with every big basket were silenced after the final buzzer and left the arena with a heavy heart. They outnumbered Globalport fans perhaps a hundred to one.

While the game was on, it was like Globalport versus the entire nation.

But in the end, the Batang Pier had the victory on hand. The players celebrated by forming a tight circle and jumped up and down in front of the crowd of 14,539.

The Gin Kings had chances to win in regulation, especially when LA Tenorio, who hit a heroic three-pointer against Star three nights ago, missed one of two charities with 11.1 seconds to play.

This allowed Globalport to send the game into overtime on Billy Mamaril’s short stab.

“This is for the fans and management. Happy New Year,” added Jarencio.