MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier got a boost heading into the playoffs following a 122-94 thrashing of Alaska Aces in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Philippine Cup finals last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
With the win, the Batang Pier finished fifth in the eliminations with a 6-5 win-loss record and will face no. 4 ranked San Miguel Beermen in the best-of-three quarterfinals beginning on Sunday.
Robert Bolick Jr. led the Batang Pier with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, Jamie Malonzo added 21 points, Ilonggo Juan Paolo Taha scored 18, while Sidney Onwubere and Troy Rike each contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Batang Pier built a 28-20 lead on early Malonzo and Onwubere hits and six consecutive points from Taha. It increased to 61-43 at the half after Malonzo converted from the inside and Bolick connected on his three-pointers.
NorthPort’s rampage continued in the second half behind Bolick, Malonzo, Taha, and Rike, as the gap swelled to 120-91 late in the fourth quarter on a Henri Lorenzo Subido three-pointer.
Jeron Teng top-scored with 18 points, Abu Tratter and Michael Digregorio dropped 13 markers each, while Benedict Adamos had 10 points as the Aces finished their campaign at the 11th spot with a 3-8 record.
NorthPort’s triumph benefited Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings as well, as the latter won the privilege to play against Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters for the eighth and final quarterfinals spot on Saturday in a do-or-die game.
The defending Philippine Cup champion Kings (4-7) were unable to capture an outright quarterfinals berth with a 79-66 loss to the Meralco Bolts (9-2) in the opening round.
Despite missing players Japeth Aguilar and Earl Scottie Thompson, the Kings kept pace with the Bolts in the third quarter, cutting a 15-point deficit to 55-51.
On the other hand, Meralco took advantage of Barangay Ginebra’s errors, increasing its lead to 63-53 on a layup by Ilonggo Anjo Caram and later to 79-66 on consecutive inside baskets by Raymon Jamito.
Alvin Pasaol and Capiznon Rey Mark Belo led the Bolts in scoring, with 15 points apiece, while Chris Newsome added 10. Stanley Pringle bannered the Kings with 19 points.
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 122 – Bolick 22, Malonzo 21, Taha 18, Onwubere 13, Rike 12, Ferrer 7, Doliguez 7, Balanza 6, Elorde 5, Subido 5, Grey 4, Faundo 2, Lanete 0.
ALASKA 94 – Teng 18, Tratter 13, Digregorio 13, Adamos 10, Casio 9, Banal 7, Brondial 5, Browne 5, Stockton 4, Marcelino 4, Ebona 3, Ilagan 3, Publico 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 28-20, 61-43, 94-78, 122-94./PN
