Batang Pier escape E-Painters for 2nd straight win

MANILA, Philippines -- Jay Washington, Sol Mercado and RR Garcia again delivered the goods as Globalport came through with its first ever successive victories, following up a tough win over Meralco Friday with an even tougher victory over Rain or Shine in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

The Batang Pier fought back from early nine-point deficits and repelled the Elasto Painters’ own fightback at endgame for a 90-88 decision fashioned out before a mammoth cheering crowd at the Big Dome.

Globalport hit the .500 mark at 3-3 with the first back-to-back victories in the young history of the Mikee Romero-owned franchise.

“The young guys are learning to play in the PBA while the veterans are stepping up and being leaders. The process of jelling, being as one, is coming into play already,” said Globalport coach Ritchie Ticzon.

“I didn’t expect it to be this early. A win makes it easier to jell together,” added Ticzon, a former Ateneo hotshot who had a seven-year stint in the pro league with Purefoods, Shell and Alaska.

“It feels good, this team is coming together,” said Washington who led the team with 20 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Mercado also put in 20 points while Garcia contributed 13, including five in the payoff period, as the Batang Pier pulled one over the Elasto Painters also for the first time since joining the league last year.

Blowing away a 14-point third-quarter deficit, the Batang Pier turned to defense in the crunch as they handed the E-Painters a second loss in six games in the tourney.

The E-Painters had a chance to win the game in the last nine seconds but the Batang Pier made the stoppage.

“We knew they’re going to Paul Lee or Jeff Chan. We wanted to make the switch and make sure somebody would be in front of them,” said Ticzon.

The E-Painters took sometime to get the ball on the hands of Lee. When he finally got possession, Lee was pressed to make a quick shot from afar.

The 2012 Rookie of the Year awardee failed to make a decent attempt, and the Batang Pier squeezed through.

Lee earlier rifled in two treys and Chan one in a hot chase enabling the Elasto Painters to draw even at 87-all with 2:50 left.

Mercado nailed a charity and fed Justin Chua for a short baseline shot as Globalport regained the lead at 90-87.

Chua started at center spot, playing a total of 19 minutes and getting away with 12 markers, four boards and one assist.

Terrence Romeo, the No. 4 draft pick who led the league in scoring for a while, was contained for the second straight game. He made only two points in their last game and one in this contest.

Lee paced the Elasto Painters with 20 points.