The GlobalPort Batang Pier and the Star Hotshots went through the wringer before surviving their respective opponents yesterday in the 41st PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Batang Pier needed an extra five-minute session to outlast the Barako Bull Energy, 105-91, while the Hotshots survived an endgame scare from the NLEX Road Warriors to prevail, 97-95.
Terrence Romeo finished with 21 points, Stanley Pringle collected 19 points, 17 rebounds and five assists as the backcourt duo led the Batang Pier to their second win in three games.
JC Intal sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer that tied the count at 95-all at the end of regulation.
Romeo went to work in the overtime period where he dumped most of his output.
“We were still fresh in overtime because we have a lot of guards,” Pringle said.
Intal had 17 points for the Energy, who dropped to 1-2 (win-loss).
The Hotshots, on the other hand, bagged their second straight win to improve to 2-2, while dealing the Road Warriors their first loss in three games.
NLEX trailed by double digits for the most part but staged a daring fightback in the endgame.
With the NLEX loss, Rain or Shine is now the only remaining unbeaten team in the tournament at 3-0.
Just like NLEX, Alaska also failed to protect its unbeaten slate when it lost to Barangay Ginebra, 92-93, early morning Sunday in Dubai, UAE.