The Final Score: GlobalPort versus TNT was a duel between potential and reality

It’s hard to resist the numerical seduction of GlobalPort. Before facing Talk ‘N Text last February 20, key GlobalPort players were posting impressive stats. Sol Mercado was averaging 16 points and 13 assists. Justin Williams was averaging close to 22 rebounds and five blocks. Gary David was averaging 23 points. Japeth Aguilar was averaging 16 points and nine rebounds. [Related: Talk 'N Text overwhelms GlobalPort for share of second place] They’re a merry band of playmakers, gunslingers, slam-dunkers and shot-blockers. They aim to score points in most pulsating ways. What’s not to like? If not for their late meltdown against Barako Bull, GlobalPort could have been 3-0 to start the Commissioner’s Cup. However, in GlobalPort’s first true test, in a game that was going to highlight their strengths and weaknesses, the Batang Pier experienced how TNT plays like habitual contenders. I was excited to witness GlobalPort’s Top-5 Plays machine. I observed TNT’s shutdown defense instead. TNT allowed GlobalPort to score 45 points in the first half. The game was close in the first two quarters. It wouldn’t hurt to watch an exciting game until the very end. It wouldn’t hurt to give fans more reason to believe that GlobalPort was a real threat. It wouldn’t hurt to show some more parity, that TNT could falter against an ambitious team.

Yet in true killjoy fashion, TNT proved that their brand of efficiency was better than GlobalPort’s brand of excitement. TNT’s offense produced 50 points in the second half while their defense limited GlobalPort to just 16 points in the third quarter and 18 in the fourth period. Mercado finished with just four assists. David went 0-8 from beyond the three-point line and shot 4-20 from the field. Aguilar made just one out of eight FG attempts. GlobalPort is fun to watch because they play with guiltless zeal. They shoot three-point shots in transition. They believe in high-risk, high-reward opportunities. They have an import who celebrates every point. They have a team that’s ready to shock the world. Maybe for GlobalPort, keeping it close for one half against TNT is a moral victory. Maybe it means they potentially have what it takes to win it all. If they can score against any type of defense, if they can somehow strengthen their second unit, if they can keep up the excitement against any team in the PBA, maybe they can go all the way. Sa Talk ‘N Text kasi, hindi uso ang moral victories. They just win, whether you feel it or not. Because when they turn it on offensively or defensively, you probably won’t even notice. Five TNT players scored in double figures. Ryan Reyes was assigned to pester Japeth. Jayson Castro was deployed to chase David. Keith Benson, even if he looked like he badly needed a shot of espresso, tallied 20 points and 19 rebounds. I still believe GlobalPort is a team to watch. I still believe GlobalPort has the numbers to back up that reputation. TNT, however, doesn’t need me to state anything. You know they’re already very good. - AMD, GMA News