Saudi Gazette MANILA — Terrence Romeo exploded for a career-high 41 points as the GlobalPort Batang Pier stunned the top-seeded Alaska Aces, 107-93, Monday night in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinal series. The fifth-seeded Batang Pier zoomed to an early 24-6 lead and never looked back, warding off numerous Alaska rallies, apparently still riding high on their morale-boosting quarterfinals sudden-death victory over the Barangay Ginebra Kings before the holiday break last month. Romeo was simply spectacular, pouring 22 points in the first half alone. The current scoring leader in the league shot 12-for-21 (57 percent) from the field, 6-for-11 (54 percent) from three-point range and a near-flawless 11-for-12 (91 percent) from the line. He also had four assists. Stanley Pringle, Romeo's equally deadly backcourt partner, added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists. Billy Mamaril and Keith Jensen chipped in with 12 markers apiece. In the second quarter, the Aces managed to cut GlobalPort's lead to three points, 32-29, which turned out to be the closest they could come as the Batang Pier stepped on the gas anew to take a 52-42 halftime lead. There was no cooling Romeo at the start of the third quarter as he scored eight in a 10-2 blast, including two corner three-pointers, as GlobalPort upped its lead to 18 points, 62-44. The fourth quarter belonged to Mamaril who scored six of GlobalPort's first eight points. The Aces continued trying to whittle the lead but the Batang Pier kept on finding ways to score despite Alaska's vaunted defensive might en route to their historic first semifinals victory in the league. Cyrus Baguio led Alaska with 15 points. Vic Manuel had 14 markers and a team-high 11 rebounds. RJ Jazul also had 14 while Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss finished with 12 markers apiece. Game Tuesday: San Miguel Beermen vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (Game 1, best-of-7 semifinals).
