MANILA — Terrence Romeo exploded for a season-high 35 points, including 15 in the final quarter, to lead the GlobalPort Batang Pier to a resounding 91-84 victory over the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night. Three other Batang Pier scored in double digits with JR Quinahan finishing with 15 points, Stanley Pringle with 12, and KG Canaleta, 10. GlobalPort thus gained a share of the lead with Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer while inflicting Ginebra's second loss in three games. The Batang Pier led Ginebra by as many as 18 points in the third quarter before the Kings launched a furious comeback bid in the fourth frame that just fell short. Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio led Ginebra, scoring 23 points apiece. San Miguel Beer 94, Mahindra 91 The defending champions San Miguel Beer escaped with a 94-91 win over the winless Mahindra Floodbuster to grab a share of the early lead in the conference. The Beermen trailed for nearly three quarters before turning the game around on the heroics of June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, and Alex Cabagnot. Fajardo posted a double-double and team-highs of 28 points and 15 rebounds. Santos finished with 18 markers and nine boards while Cabagnot added 15 points and five rebounds. Beermen thus improved to a 3-1 win-loss record while sending the hapless Floodbuster to their fourth straight loss. For a while though, it looked like Mahindra would get the better of San Miguel Beer, a team it has defeated twice last season. Alex Mallari led the Floodbuster with 21 points and eight rebounds. He could have sent the game into overtime but his three-point shot from the top of the key at the buzzer just kissed the rim. Mahindra started strong and led San Miguel by 13 points in the first quarter. The Beermen only managed to catch up with the Floodbuster midway in the third quarter. The Floodbuster kept the game close but just couldn't pull through in the clutches. Rookie Joseph Eriobu proved to be a revelation for Mahindra, scoring 17 points and grabbing six boards in the loss. LA Revilla chipped in 15 markers while another rookie Russel Escoto added 10 points. Games Wednesday: NLEX Road Warriors (1-2) vs. Blackwater Elite (2-2) and Meralco Bolts (2-1) vs. Alaska Aces (1-2).
