The GlobalPort Batang Pier’s new recruits didn’t disappoint in their first game with the squad as they stunned the league-leading Meralco Bolts, 94-86, in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
New import Justin Harper, a former NBA D-League player who arrived in Manila just hours before the game, scored 30 points and nine boards in his PBA debut.
Sean Anthony, who along with Bradwyn Guinto and Jonathan Grey landed in GlobalPort via a four-team trade last weekend, made 18 points and eight boards.
Guinto chipped in eight points and seven boards, while Grey had three points, four boards and three dimes.
Stanley Pringle also came up with 16 points, seven boards and eight assists as the Batang Pier (3-6) notched their win No.3 and dealt the Bolts (7-2) only their second defeat of the conference.
GlobalPort notched the win even without star guard Terrence Romeo who is currently on loan to Gilas Pilipinas.
In a seesaw battle between the two squads, it was the Batang Pier who made big shots down the stretch. After an 81-all tie with 4:28 left, GlobalPort scored six unanswered points.
Jonathan Uyloan pulled Meralco closer with a triple, but Pringle fired four consecutive clutch points including a tough layup with 36 ticks left that handed GlobalPort a 91-86 lead with 36 seconds left and took the fight out of Meralco.
Alex Stepheson had a monster outing of 19 points and 27 boards in the defeat which snapped Meralco’s three-game winning streak.