Charter Day Cup Batang Pier routs Tigers

CEBU, Philippines - The GlobalPort Batang Pier preyed on the Tagoloan Tigers 81-73 to get their first win in the Charter Day Cup Invitational Basketball tournament last night at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

The Batang Pier successfully bounced back after their 79-87 defeat in the hands of defending Commissioner’s Cup champion Alaska Aces last Friday at the Cebu Coliseum.

GlobalPort was in full command of the match from the outset, closing the first half with a 12-point edge, 40-28. Batang Pier continued their offensive onslaught anchored by high-scoring rookie Terrence Romeo in the third period as they mounted an imposing 21-point lead, 61-40.

But the Tagoloan Tigers fought back as they trimmed the deficit to only six points, 71-77, in the 2:31 mark of the final period behind the effort of University of the Visayas (UV) cagers John Abad and veteran Ian Saladaga, but that was the best they could muster as the Batang Pier made a strong push at the final one minute to finally seal the victory.

Hardworking Kelly Nabong topped GlobalPort with 13 points, while rookies Justin Chua and Romeo combined with 23 points.

Saladaga was the leading scorer for the Tigers with 16 points, while Ferdinand Lusdoc and Jan Empoma inked 12 and 11 points respectively.

The Scores:

GlobalPort (81) - Nabong 13, Chua 12 Romeo 11, Garcia 10, Salvador 10, Yee 6, Hayes 6, Cabagnot 4, Brock 3, Ponferada 2, Lingganay 2

Tagoloan Tigers (73)- Saladaga 16, Lusdoc 12, Empoma 11, Escocio 10, Etami 6, Abad 4, Gerilla 3, Rodriguez 1 (FREEMAN)