MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier kept its playoffs hopes alive in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup after a 109-83 stunner on TNT KaTropa last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Stanley Pringle finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, Sean Anthony added 14 markers while Moala Tautuaa and Juan Paolo Taha had 13 points each for the Batang Pier.
The Batang Pier got to an early surge behind Pringle for a 22-16 first quarter lead. It grew to 27 points midway in the second period with triples from Garvo Lanete and Jonathan Grey.
KaTropa had a strong start in the third canto to come to as close as 11 points but the Batang Pier was quick to restore order as baskets from Pringle and Anthony build its largest lead at 30 points.
With the victory, the Batang Pier improved to 3-6 win-loss slate and boosting their chances of making it to the quarterfinals provided that they win their last two elimination round games.
On the part of KaTropa, the defeat dropped them to fourth spot in the standings with 7-4 win-loss record and also dashing their hopes of taking the second twice-to-beat quarterfinals incentive.
KaTropa’s defeat also handed the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (8-3) the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals regardless if Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (6-3) tie them after elimination round.
In the second game, defending champions San Miguel Beermen got its bearings going in the second half to score a 114-96 victory over Alaska Aces.
Down by as much as 10 points in the first half, the Beermen turn things around in third behind Alex Cabagnot, Christian Standhardinger and Von Pessumal en route to leading by as much as 21 points.
Cabagnot top-scored with 31 points while Standhardinger added 23 markers for the Beermen (7-4). Chris Banchero finished with 22 points for the Aces (4-6)./PN
