MANILA — Sophomore guard Terrence Romeo led the GlobalPort Batang Pier to a rousing 92-73 victory over the Meralco Bolts Tuesday night as the PBA began its season-ending Governors' Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Romeo scored a team-high 27 points, 10 of them scored in a key stretch of the fourth quarter when the Bolts made their last-ditch rally. Romeo also collected six rebounds and five assists. The victory served as a triumphant welcome for comebacking coach Pido Jarencio. The Batang Pier also got plenty of firepower and defensive clout from their two imports – Palestinian guard Omar Krayem and seven-footer Patrick O'Bryant, the Golden State Warriors' ninth pick overall in the 2006 NBA Draft. Krayem posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists as he took over the playmaking chores from the injured Stanley Pringle. O'Bryant finished with 15 points and 23 rebounds. With O'Bryant dominating the paint, the Batang Pier executed their running game almost to perfection, resulting in 21 points off transition, 14 more than the Bolts. The Batang Pier also handcuffed Meralco's top gunner Gary David who was held to just five points on a woeful 28-percent shooting from the field. Import Andre Emmett led Meralco with 41 points and 13 rebounds. Alaska 106, Blackwater 80 The Alaska Aces opened the Governors' Cup with a bang, drubbing the Blackwater Elite, 106-80. Once again flashing their patented backcourt trapping defense, the Aces made known their intent to bury their rivals, racing to an early double-digit lead in the first quarter and pulling away in the third quarter with a 13-0 blast to take a 35-point lead, 81-46. Import Romeo Travis debuted in the PBA with a team-high 18 points and 12 rebounds for Alaska. The 6'7” NBA draft prospect ruled the paint and showed an impeccable shooting touch from the outside. JVee Casio and Chris Banchero added 13 points apiece. Cyrus Baguio chipped in with 12 markers. Naturalized American Marcus Douthit played nearly like a one-man army for Blackwater, finishing with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Eric Gamalinda added 10 points. After an unimpressive campaign in the Commissioner's Cup, Alaska – a 14-time PBA champion – is out to redeem itself in the Governors' Cup. Alaska forced Blackwater to 21 turnovers, which the Aces translated to a 26-11 turnovers points advantage. Alaska also had more fastbreak points, 19-8, and dominated the paint with a 56-30 scoring edge. Meanwhile, the Barangay Ginebra Kings traded guard Joseph Yeo for Barako Bull's Sol Mercado in a straight-up deal completed Monday. The trade followed Ginebra's acquisition of 6'7” rookie forward Dave Marcelo from Barako Bull last month just days after Frankie Lim was named the new Kings' head coach. The Kings also traded Dylan Ababou and James Forrester for Barako Bull's first round pick in next year's draft in a separate deal. Mercado is expected to boost Ginebra's already formidable backcourt comprising of LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand. Mercado averaged 10.6 points and 5.0 assists for Barako Bull in the Commissioner's Cup. Yeo, meanwhile, is expected to see more playing time for Barako Bull. Games Wednesday: Barako Bull Energy vs. NLEX Road Warriors; Kia Carnival vs. San Miguel Beermen.
