by Waylon Galvez
Games Today (Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City)
4:30 p.m. – NLEX vs Columbian Dyip
6:45 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs Phoenix Fuel
The bearded slip-and-sliding GlobalPort guard delivered the goods when it mattered most yesterday, scoring 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter as the Batang Pier held on to edge the Meralco Bolts, 86-85, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After struggling in the first three quarters as he deals with a minor leg injury that has affected his timing and forced him to shoot 1-of-8 from the field, Pringle stepped up for GlobalPort in the crucial stretch, shaking off the pain.
He converted five of his next 10 attempts, including an off-balanced baseline jumper over the outstretched arm of Chris Newsome after he initially lost control of the ball. That gave GlobalPort an 81-75 advantage with 3:36 to play.
GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio credited his players for their effort, particularly Pringle, who scored just 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting in a 128-114 loss to TNT KaTropa last Sunday.
“We’re struggling, including Stanley. May injury kasi e (leg), last time pa nga ‘yun against TNT. Buti naka-pick up siya sa fourth, pero talagang nag-struggle siya, and buong team,” said Jarencio. “But a win is a win, we’ll take it. Maski pa na one-point win or two-point win,” he added.
Newsome and Meralco reinforcement Arinze Onuaku each scored a basket that trimmed the lead to 81-80, but GlobalPort import Malcolm White pushed it back up with a layup, 83-80, with 57.6 seconds to go.
Again it was Newsome coming to the aid of the Bolts, with the 2016 Rookie of the Year making it 83-82, with 42.3 seconds left.
Meralco couldn’t capitalized though on several opportunities, with backup guard Anjo Caram turning the ball at the baseline.
Scores:
GLOBALPORT 86 – White 27, Pringle 17, Anthony 15, Arana 7, Nabong 6, Grey 5, Teng 3, Viernes 2, Elorde 2, Gabayni 2, Guinto 0.
MERALCO 85 – Canaleta 28, Onuaku 21, Newsome 9, Caram 9, Amer 8, Hodge 6, Salva 2, Hugnatan 2, Sedurifa 0, Dillinger 0.
Quarters: 23-25, 45-44, 63-65, 86-85.
