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[av_heading heading=’G’Port keeps Kia winless in Govs’ Cup ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – GlobalPort Batang Pier survived a tough stand by Kia Picanto to win their Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup match 102-90 yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Import Murphy Holloway led the way with 29 points and 18 rebounds for Batang Pier, which notched its second straight victory to improve to 2-2.
Stanley Pringle added 21 markers while Marnel Baracael and Mike Cortez contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively, for GlobalPort, which played without Gilas Pilipinas star Terrence Romeo.
Both teams exchanged leads early in the game before GlobalPort pulled away 26-17 on hits by Pringle, Ryan Araña and Paolo Hubalde. Kia managed to come to within 5 but Batang Pier quickly restored a 9-point edge.
With Batang Pier up 41-33, Picanto launched a huge run in the second quarter to erase the deficit and snatch a 48-47 edge on a 3-pointer by rookie Reden Celda, but Holloway’s free throws swung the lead to GlobalPort at the half.
Batang Pier started strong in the third frame and was able to build a 56-50 lead on a triple by Michael Pennisi, but Kia answered with its own baskets to remain within reach 69-74.
GlobalPort went on to build its largest lead 85-69 early in the fourth on back-to-back treys by Cortez and Baracael. Picanto came close 90-96 but hits by Cortez and Baracael sealed the win for Batang Pier.
Reinforcement Markeith Cummings top-scored with 37 points while Celda added 15 markers for Picanto, which suffered its seventh consecutive defeat in as many matches to get stuck in last place./PN
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