(CNN Philippines) — GlobalPort Batang Pier turned a tight game into a clinic to hammer out a 92-73 victory over Meralco Bolts and open their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup campaign Tuesday (May 5) at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Terrence Romeo led GlobalPort’s balanced attack with a tour-de-force performance of 27 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Asian import Omar Krayem had 18 points with eight rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while American reinforcement Patrick O’Bryant added 15 points and 23 rebounds for the Batang Pier, who were in control of the contest from the second quarter.
A three-pointer by Romeo at the 1:59 mark of the fourth period put the game away, 87-69.
“Overall it’s a total team effort,” said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio, who is back at the helm after serving as consultant in the previous conference.
“Nagkaroon ng maturity yung team. The more players na nakakatulong, the merrier. Kahit sino pwede pumutok.”
In contrast, Meralco relied heavily on import Andre Emmett who did almost everything for the Bolts.
Emmett scored 41 points in his PBA debut, while getting little help from the local players as no other Bolt finished with double figures.
