Leslie tows B Pier past Carnival

MANILA, Philippines - CJ Leslie proved he’s more than just a third choice as import of the Globalport team, putting in impressive all-around numbers against Kia’s 7-foot-3 import PJ Ramos as the Batang Pier smothered the Carnival, 100-89, in the opener of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City last night.

Leslie delivered highlight moves on both ends at the court, capping a 31-point and 14-rebound performance that helped Globalport to a triumphant debut in the PBA second conference after an eighth-place wind-up in the Philippine Cup.

The 23-year-old former North Carolina State player also came through with five blocks, four assists and two steals against four errors in 39 minutes of action, making good impression as did Ramos with his 41 points and 20 rebounds for Kia.

Before the game, not much had been written about Leslie as he arrived in the country a few days back as a replacement to Rob Benson who measured above the 6-foot-9 ceiling for the imports of the Top Eight in the last conference.

“We’re actually still in the honeymoon stage. But he showed he’s a smart, brilliant player,” said Globalport coach Eric Gonzales of Leslie, their third choice after Derrick Caracter and Benson.

“He had had only two practice games with us. He’s a bit off then as he’s still adjusting to the weather and the food. Thankfully, he delivered,” Gonzales also said.

Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle combined  for 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as the Batang Pier handed the Carnival its 11 straight loss after a triumphant season debut against fellow PBA newcomer Blackwater.

With playing coach Manny Pacquiao in a US trip, assistant coach Chito Victolero called the shots for the Carnival. Also on the Kia bench was newly appointed team consultant Joe Lipa.

Leslie had made 17 points while Romeo and Pringle had had 11 and eight, respectively, as Globalport sat on a 56-42 cushion at the half.

The Batang Pier dominated throughout but had to fend off a Kia uprising that saw the Carnival charge to within seven at 83-90 from 19 points down at 69-88.

Former Globalport player Mark Yee had his key contribution in the Kia siege, firing away 15 points in his Kia debut.

Later in the night, Josh Davis also made a remarkable PBA debut, logging 25 points and 24 rebounds to power Meralco past Barangay Ginebra, 85-74.

Gary David scored 21 points coming off the bench as the Bolts beat the Kings in the mid-season tourney for the first time in the last three years.

At the height of the Kia rally, Leslie made key defensive stops that the team parlayed into crucial baskets, sparking an eight-to-nothing roll that eventually propelled Globalport to victory.    

Ramos, a former Puerto Rican national player and ex-Washington Wizard, asserted himself at the post as the Carnival got into the fight midway through the final period.

But an errant inbound and a post move lapse by Ramos didn’t help their cause as they went on a four-minute dry spell from the 85-92 count.

As Ramos paced himself early on, the Batang Pier outscored the Carnival, 28-14, on points inside the paint in the first half.

The Batang Pier, however, found Ramos tough to contain when the Kia behemoth started to attack.

Meanwhile, Philippine Cup losing semifinalists Talk n Text and Rain or Shine square off in the mainer of Day Two of the Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome tonight.

The Tropang Texters bring back Richard Howell while the Elasto Painters introduce Rick Jackson with hopes of improving from their finish behind the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Milk Aces in the all-Filipino tourney.

The Texters are aching to redeem themselves after being swept by the Beermen in four games in the Philippine Cup semis.

The E-Painters, meanwhile, look to flex their muscles harder after being beaten by the Alaska Milk Aces, 4-2, in their own semis showdown in the last conference.

NOTES: Purefoods center Yousef Taha was suspended for two games and fined P60,000 for a number of punches thrown at Rain or Shine import Rick Jackson during a tune-up game Friday at the RONAC Gym. Taha will surely be missed by the Hotshots especially in their Commissioner’s Cup debut versus the Globalport Batang Pier Friday when they still await the arrival of import Daniel Orton.