Warner's fourth-quarter flurry lifts GlobalPort past Barako Bull
With import Calvin Warner saving his best for last, GlobalPort turned back Barako Bull on Wednesday night 99-81 to put its PBA Commissioners Cup campaign back on track at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Foiled in his pro league debut by counterpart Josh Davis and the pace-setting Meralco Bolts 86-84 last Sunday, the 6-foot-7 Warner was outplayed by Energy reinforcement Solomon Alabi majority of the way but asserted himself just in time, racking up 14 of his 23 points in the payoff canto while getting enough lift from his local teammates.
The clutch exploits of Warner, coupled with the game-long brilliance of spitfire guard Terrence Romeo and their rejuvenated defensive stance, enabled GlobalPort to improve its mark to an even 3-3 card while dealing Barako Bull its second straight loss after an impressive 3-0 start.
Romeo, who provided the spark that allowed them to wipe out a 10-point deficit in the first half, finished with a team-high 24 points while back-up center Mark Isip and top rookie pick Stanley Pringle contributed 14 markers apiece to help the Batang Pier.
Going down the drain with the Energy’s setback was the monstrous 37-point, 27-rebound performance of the 7-foot-1 Alabi, who failed to get enough local help and visibly ran out of steam in the stretch in the face of the Batang Pier’s strong closeout.
That dreadful finish was far from how Barako Bull started. With Alabi leading the charge, the Energy jumped to an early 14-4 lead and even enjoyed another 10-point buffer at 27-17 at the end of the opening frame.
But Romeo came to life in the second canto, hitting on all cylinders while helping the Batang Pier seize control and take a precarious 45-44 lead at the break.
Barako Bull reclaimed the upperhand at 49-48 off a free throw split made by guard RR Garcia early in the third but Pringle and Isip conspired in an 11-to-nothing run, giving GlobalPort the lead for good.
Behind Alabi, the Energy stayed in the thick of things but Warner buckled down to work as he made three consecutive shots in a decisive push in the fourth canto, even banking in a left-handed hook shot over the outstretched arms of the taller Alabi for an 82-72 lead with four minutes left to play.
From there, Romeo put on the finishing touches to help the Batang Pier keep the Energy at bay.
The Main Man: Calvin Warner showed he can deliver in the stretch as he scored 14 in the Batang Pier’s 33-point explosion in the payoff period.
Honorable Mentions: Warner also had plenty of support this time, most of them coming from the likes of guards Terrence Romeo, Stanley Pringle and Mark Isip.
Game Turning Point: Ahead by just four at the end of the third period, Warner racked up seven of the Batang Pier’s first nine points ijn the final canto, setting the tone for their strong finish.
Stat of the Game: The Energy had nobody to blame but themselves in their meltdown as they turned the ball over 21 times and allowed the Batang Pier to gain 23 points off those errors.
He Said It:
GlobalPort coach Eric Gonzales: Our players responded well. Our loss to Meralco was a lesson to us. We have to finish the game strong. We're trying to balance the inside and outside game of the team.
The scores:
Globalport 99 – Romeo 24, Warner 23, Pringle 14, Isip 14, Buenafe 7, Jensen 7, Miranda 4, Semerad 4, Caperal 2, Ponferrada 0.
Barako Bull 81 – Alabi 37, Lastimosa 12, Lanete 11, Pascual 6, Garcia 5, Intal 4, Chua 2, Matias 2, Hubalde 2, Salvador 0, Salva 0.
Quarterscores: 17-27; 45-44; 66-62; 99-81.
Next Games:
Barako Bull versus Alaska on Feb. 24 at the Cuneta Astrodome
GlobalPort against Blackwater on Feb. 22 at the Smart-Arante Coliseum
