Pringle leads The GlobalPort in trouncing Kia
The GlobalPort Batang Pier withstood the pressure to beat the expansion Kia Sorento, 84-79, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
No.1 Pick Stanley Pringle had an all-around game for The GlobalPort with 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The Batang Pier had to recover in the second half after a double-digit deficit at halftime, 47-36. Reil Cervantes scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half for Kia.
Ronjay Buenafe had 19 points and four three-pointers to lead his team in getting back into the ball game until Anthony Semerad played with poise in the final minutes by scoring against the defense of Kia.
Guard John Pinto broke the deadlock by drilling in a three-pointer, 72-69, with 5:26 remaining. Semerad distanced his team by making a jumper, 78-71.
Hans Thiele led with 19 points for Kia, which fell to 1-3.
The GlobalPort has now a record of 2-2, good for coach Pido Jarencio who said at the end of the game, “This victory is morale-boosting and confidence-building”
