Northport escapes Magnolia, ties Blackwater on top
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2019 12:33:14 +0000
NORTHPORT overcame a sluggish start to ward off Magnolia’s late rally for a 102-99 win on Wednesday in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Sean Anthony notched 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds on top of four assists and five steals as the Batang Pier tied Blackwater on top with similar 5-1 win-loss records.
“The players didn’t give up. We are not giving up and we’re limiting teams. It’s a total team effort. Everyone is stepping up,” said Northport coach Pido Jarencio, whose team has extended its best start in franchise history.
“Our willingness is there and our goal is to make it to the playoffs,” Jarencio said.
Paolo Taha added 16 points while Jonathan Grey and Moala Tautuaa scattered 14 points each also for the Batang Pier.
Nico Elorde and rookie Robert Bolick had 12 and 11 points, respectively, while import Prince Ibeh posted 10 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for Northport.
The Batang Pier almost squandered a 96-86 cushion after the Hotshots trimmed the deficit to three, 95-98, with 35 ticks to go in the payoff period.
But Anthony sealed Northport’s victory with four straight free throws before the final buzzer despite Magnolia’s resistance in the dying seconds.
It was the Hotshots’ second straight defeat despite a change in their original import John Fields who was replaced by James Farr, scoring 11 points in his debut for Magnolia.
Ian Sangalang and Robbie Herndon led the Hotshots with 21 points and 18 points, respectively.
Scores:
NorthPort 102 – Anthony 22, Taha 16, Tautuaa 14, Grey 14, Elorde 12, Bolick 11, Ibeh 10, Lanete 3, Gabayni 0.
Magnolia 99 – Sangalang 21, Herndon 18, Lee 16, Barroca 14, Farr 11, Jalalon 7, Brondial 5, Ramos 3, Melton 2, Dela Rosa 2, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 16-23, 48-43, 70-62, 102-99.
JOSEF T. RAMOS
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