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GlobalPort finally wins one at Barako Bull's expense

Finally!

That practically summed up GlobalPort’s collective reaction after the Batang Pier overcame an end-game meltdown and a stubborn Barako Bull crew Sunday night 98-96 to finish their PBA Commissioners Cup campaign on a positive note at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Import Evan Brock (27 points) and sweet-shooting Mark Macapagal (21 points) came through with solid numbers on both ends but it was crafty playmaker Alex Cabagnot who stood tallest in the clutch and enabled GlobalPort to pull through against the hard-fighting Energy.

After seeing Barako Bull erase what once a 21-point lead behind a strong fourth-quarter rally and tie the game at 93-apeice off a JC Intal at the top of the key with less than 30 seconds left, the 6-foot-11 Cabagnot took matters into his own hands and proved why he is called as “The Crunchman,” notably during his five-year stint with the Petron Blaze Boosters (now known as the San Miguel Beermen).

Off a timeout sued by head coach Pido Jarencio, Cabagnot rose to the challenge as he wisely used a screen set by the 6-foot-8 Brock and pulled up for a trey over the outstretched arms of Barako Bull defender Ronjay Buenafe to put them on top anew at 96-93 with 10.9 seconds to go.

In the ensuing play, Intal virtually threw the Energy’s chances away when he struggled to find an open teammate and opted for a risky crosscourt, inbound pass that was stolen by Macapagal, who then hurriedly rush the leather to their court and relayed it back to Cabagnot.

Then the former University of Hawaii-Hilo standout iced the game by sinking a pair of freebies going to the last 5.7 seconds.

Aside from stopping an eight-game slide, the Batang Pier also gave Jarencio his first overall victory while also snapping the Energy’s mastery at six games since GlobalPort joined the pro league last season.
More importantly, the Batang Pier also eliminated the Energy from the playoff contention, inflicting their rivals’ seventh loss against two wins.

Prolific import Joshua Dollard tallied a team-high 22 points but it was his local teammates, Intal and Ronjay Buenafe, who responded to the call as the Energy Cola mightily fought back from a 46-67 deficit early in the third canto and put themselves in a winning position inside the final minute.

After Intal tied things up at 93-apiece with 59.1 seconds left, Dollard made a big defensive stop when he forced Brock to take a contested mid-range jumper.

However, Buenafe surprisingly threw an ill-advised halfcourt feed to a running Dollard who failed to secure the leather, giving the possession back to GlobalPort while setting up the stage for Cabagnot’s heroics.
 
The Main Man: Alex Cabagnot finally nailed what seemed to be an elusive win for GlobalPort when he laced his 14-point, nine-assist outing with five marginal baskets in the closing seconds.
 
Honorable Mentions: Before Cabagnot stole the show, there was import Even Brock and gunner Mark Macapagal delivering the goods for the fast-starting GlobalPort.
 
Game Tunring Point: With the hanging in the balance, Alex Cabagnot made sure the Batang Pier won’t be denied this time when he rifled in a dagger of a triple off Energy counterpart Ronjay Buenafe with 10.9 seconds left.
 
He Said It:
GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio: “At least happy ending, ‘di ba? Last game ng conference nanalo, siyempre stepping stone na yan para sa next conference.”
 
GlobalPort guard Alex Cabagnot: “It’s been a tough season for us. But I still want to thank coach Pido for his continued faith in me.”

The scores:

GLOBALPORT 98 - Brock 27, Macapagal 21, Cabagnot 14, Garcia 12, Nabong 9, Salva 7, Washington 4, Salvador 2, Custodio 2, Matias 0.

BARAKO 96 - Dollard 22, Intal 16, Pennisi 13, Fortuna 11, Buenafe 11, Lastimosa 7, Marcelo 6, Miranda 4, Najorda 2, Jensen 2, Pena 2, Miller 0.

Quarters: 29-15, 51-42, 80-63, 98-96