B Pier scores early win

Games today (Mall of Asia)

2:45 p.m. – Barako Bull vs Air21

5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines - Globalport, barely avoiding a winless conference the last time, nailed its first win in only its second game in the PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors Cup as the Batang Pier pulled the rug from under the Alaska Milk Aces, 95-91, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Batang Pier showed the toughness and the staying power lacking in practically all their previous games in the season, beating the Aces after dropping their conference debut against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Former FEU star guard Terrence Romeo returned from the injured list, coming off the bench to provide the spark that helped Globalport hand Alaska a loss after a triumphant debut against San Miguel Beer.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and Air21 both shoot for a second straight win as they take on Meralco and Barako Bull, respectively, in today’s Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Express and the Energy Cola play at 2:45 p.m. then the Kings and the Bolts battle at 5:15 p.m.

Romeo piled up 18 points on 4-of-10 field shooting and 9-of-11 free throws for the Batang Pier who saved what would have been a winless campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup with a victory over the Barako Bull Energy Cola in their final game.

Import Leroy Hickerson, Alex Cabagnot and Jay Washington did their jobs with RR Garcia and Jewel Ponferrada putting in key contributions as Globalport scored an early breakthrough in the tourney.

Later in the night, Junmar Fajardo put in an overpowering performance with 28 points and 18 rebounds as San Miguel Beer also made it to the win-column with a 97-92 decision over Rain or Shine.

Fajardo came through with his hulking double-double numbers after he was held down to 13 points in their loss to the Aces Sunday.

The scores:

First Game

Globalport 95 – Hickerson 25, Cabagnot 24, Romeo 18, Washington 13, Garcia 8, Ponferada 4, Macapagal 2, Matias 1, Taha 0, Menk 0, Hayes 0, Salvador 0.

Alaska 91 – Walker 22, Casio 16, Espinas 14, Abueva 14, Baguio 8, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 5, Manuel 4, Thoss 2.

Quarterscores: 24-22, 48-34, 66-62, 95-91

Second Game

San Miguel Beer 97 – Williams 29, Fajardo 28, Santos 10, Lassiter 8, Maierhofer 7, Tubid 5, Ross 4, Lutz 4, Chua 2, Lanete 0, Kramer 0, Mercado 0.

Rain or Shine 92 – Reid 27, Lee 13, Tiu 11, Almazan 9, Chan 9, Rodriguez 8, Norwood 5, Uyloan 3, Cruz 2, Arana 2, Ibanes 2, Nuyles 1, Belga 0.

Quarterscores: 21-11, 44-42, 66-68, 97-92