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[av_heading heading=’Revitalized Batang Pier mauls Mahindra, 97-75, in PBA PH Cup ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The GlobalPort Batang Pier did not have a hard time registering its first win in the 2016-2017 Oppo PBA Philippine Cup after dominating the Mahindra Floodbuster, 97-75, on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Terrence Romeo led the way with 29 points, including four 3-pointers, for the Batang Pier, which tied with the San Miguel Beermen, Blackwater Elite and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on top with a 1-0 slate.
Stanley Pringle chipped in a near double-double 16 points and eight rebounds, while JR Quinahan contributed 10 points for the Batang Pier, which underwent a massive roster revamp during the off-season.
The Batang Pier opened the match with a 13-0 lead behind Rommel Niño Canaleta, Quinahan and Mick Pennisi. The lead grew further to 24-5 late in the period with consecutive baskets by Romeo.
The Floodbuster clawed to within 10 points early in the second frame but the Batang Pier leaned on conversions by Romeo and Quinahan to widen its lead to 23 points on a triple by rookie Von Pessumal.
The Batang Pier continued its dominance in the third frame behind Pringle, Romeo and Canaleta to build its largest lead of the game at 61-34 on back-to-back triples by Romeo and Pennisi.
The Floodbuster, however, tried to make a run in the final frame as it was able to chop down the deficit to 17 points but the Batang Pier quickly upped the lead to 20 markers on baskets by Canaleta, Aaron Aban and Jessie Saitanan.
Alex Mallari top-scored with 17 points, while Jason Deutchman added 14 markers for the Floodbuster, which curiously gave away its key players Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos, Keith Agovida, Juan Paolo Taha and Bradwyn Guinto during the off-season./PN
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