MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) Kelly Nabong and Jonathan Grey led the way for GlobalPort on Sunday, as the Batang Pier demolished the Meralco Bolts, 107-88, in the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Playing against his former team, Nabong went to work immediately, and had 12 points and nine rebounds at the half. The bruising big man finished with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while adding 17 rebounds and three blocks.

Grey – another former Meralco player who was acquired by GlobalPort in a four-team trade in May 2017 – also had a field day against the Bolts. The sophomore guard exploded for 24 points, 13 of which came in an explosive third quarter.

Nevertheless, GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio stressed that it was their work on the defensive end that led to the big win.

"I think 'yung defense namin ang nag-work in this game," said Jarencio after his team limited the Bolts to only 37.1% shooting from the field. "First, second, and third quarter, grabe ang depensa (namin)."

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The Batang Pier set the tone right from the opening period, when they made seven of their nine attempts from beyond the arc in the first quarter to seize a 29-16 advantage. Meralco's second unit gave their team some life in the second frame, and they trailed by just 11 points, 48-37, at the break.

The Bolts simply had no answer for Grey in the third quarter, however. The former De La Salle-College of St. Benilde standout unleashed his entire arsenal against Meralco, scoring on a triple, slashing to the basket for difficult lay-ups, and drawing fouls.

The GlobalPort starters then finished the job in the fourth frame, with Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony conspiring to give the Batang Pier their biggest lead, 94-65, with 7:19 left to play in the game.

"Gusto naming ma-sustain 'yung power. Kasi, 'yung second group ang nag-deliver, kaya lumaki ang lamang. Siyempre, finishing kick na 'yan, kailangan andiyan ang first group mo," said Jarencio.

Anthony had 18 points, while Pringle also scored 17 points for GlobalPort. The Batang Pier made 12 of their 30 three-pointers, and 17-of-21 free throws in the lopsided win.

Chris Newsome had 17 points for Meralco, but 11 of them came in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of reach. Reynel Hugnatan also had 17 points, but he needed 20 shots to get there. The Bolts were hammered on the boards, 67-46.

With the victory, GlobalPort got back on the winning track after losing to San Miguel in their previous assignment. The Batang Pier improved to 3-3, tied with three other teams at the fourth to seventh spots in the league standings.

Meralco, meanwhile, failed to build on a victory against Kia the last time out and fell to 2-4.

The scores:

GLOBALPORT 107 — Grey 24, Anthony 18, Nabong 17, Pringle 17, Gabayni 9, Araña 5, Guinto 5, Juico 4, Sargent 4, Elorde 2, Taha 2, Flores 0.

MERALCO 88 — Hugnatan 17, Newsome 17, Tolomia 15, Baracael 12, Hodge 7, Bono 5, Caram 5, Amer 4, Cañaleta 4, Dillinger 2, Ballesteros 0, Faundo 0, Lanete 0, Salva 0.

Quarters: 29-16, 48-37, 82-60, 107-88

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