GLOBALPORT Batang Pier guns for a share of tournament lead when it battles Blackwater Elite in the resumption of the 2016-17 Philippine Basketball Association Philippines Cup.
The second-running, the Batang Pier (3-1) doesn’t plan on slipping down the standings but the Elite (3-2) is equally bent on climbing up the leaderboard as the two teams meet at 7 p.m. in the main event at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan tonight.
Preceding that is a battle between two teams in the bottom half of the ladder as the Meralco Bolts (2-2) and the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters (2-3) bang heads in an equally interesting bout at 4:15 p.m. in the first game.
Should GlobalPort post another win, it will join San Miguel Beer (4-1) at the top of the heap while a loss will push it to the middle and give the Elite solo second place instead.
Since coach Franz Pumaren fully implemented his system, GlobalPort has been adapting well and playing consistent basketball through four games.
A big reason for that is the improved play of its already prolific superstar Terrence Romeo, who has been doing a little bit of everything for his team.
“Terrence (Romeo) improved even more. We’re seeing the new Terrence now. Not only is he scoring heavily for us, but he’s helping the team win even more by making his teammates look good and by sharing the ball well,” said GlobalPort coach Franz Pumaren.
GlobalPort was very impressive in its last assignment, taking down Ginebra, 91-84, last week through Romeo’s 35-point explosion, the season’s best so far.
After two straight defeats, Blackwater was able to bounce back emphatically, routing NLEX, 96-85, also last week.
Both the Bolts and the Fuel Masters are coming off losses in their previous games as they head into their duel.