PBA: GlobalPort turns back Barako Bull for first win

The GlobalPort Batang Pier notched its first win in the 2015 Philippine Cup after beating Barako Bull, 91-81, on Sunday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Alex Cabagnot led all scorers with 21 points, while top overall pick Stanley Pringle finished scorers with 19 points and nine rebounds to follow up his solid debut.

GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio called the win "a total team effort."

The Batang Pier held on down the stretch, perhaps learning their lessons from their opening loss to NLEX, which saw them control the game before falling apart in the fourth period.

"Totally, ako yun, ako nagkamali run," said Jarencio, owning up to the loss to the Road Warriors.

"We owe this win to the fans, to the GlobalPort fans," he added. "Eto kahit papaano morale-boosting para sa team at sa players."

GlobalPort broke away in the third quarter after a three-pointer from Terrence Romeo sparked a 17-4 run that gave the Batang Pier a 70-58 lead.

Barako Bull threatened to come back several times, but the Batang Pier had an answer for every uprising.

With the win, GlobalPort improved its record to 1-1. The Batang Pier matched their win total for each of the last two PBA conferences under coach Pido Jarencio.

Barako Bull lost its second straight game under new coach Koy Banal, who took over coaching reins of the squad days before the start of the tournament. — JST, GMA News

The scores:

GLOBALPORT 91 - Cabagnot 21, Pringle 19, Isip 12, De Ocampo 12, Romeo 9, Jensen 7, Bacalao 6, Semerad 5, Taha 0, Buenafe 0, Duncil 0, Ponferada 0, Nabong 0.

BARAKO BULL 81 - Miranda 16, Garcia 12, Marcelo 12, Fortuna 10, Intal 8, Lastimosa 6, Salva 5, Pascual 5, Lanete 5, Wilson 2, Salvador 0, Paredes 0, Pennisi 0.

Quarters: 25-21, 48-47, 74-67, 91-81