MANILA – Joshua Munzon knocked down crucial baskets in the endgame as NorthPort Batang Pier prevailed over Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 107-103, in PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Holding to a slim 96-95 lead with over a minute left, Munzon converted a four-point shot following by a fastbreak layup for a 102-95 lead before it was widened to 104-95 on two free throws by Arvin Tolentino.
The Hotshots made their last push behind Ricardo Ratliffe, Jerom Lastimosa, and Aris Dionisio to cut the deficit to 103-105 with nine seconds left, but two free throws by Fran Yu sealed the win for the Batang Pier.
Munzon finished the game with a conference-high of 25 points to go with nine rebounds, five steals, and three assists as the Batang Pier surged to solo first place with a 3-0 win-loss slate.
Kadeem Jack tallied a double-double of 31 points and 11 rebounds, Tolentino chipped in 27 markers for the Batang Pier, which secured their first win over the Hotshots in the last three conferences.
Lastimosa tallied 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, Rome dela Rosa added 16 markers, while Andy Mark Barroca, Dionisio, and Ratliffe ended with 14, 13, and 10, respectively, as they dropped to a 1-2 win-loss record.
On Tuesday night, Marcio Lassiter anchored San Miguel Beermen’s fightback to score a 107-104 victory over Phoenix Fuel Masters to kick off their title-retention bid on a winning note.
Lassiter finished with 15 points, with nine coming in the fourth quarter, to go with three rebounds and three assists for the Beermen, which were down by as many as 16 points in the final period.
Jaymar Perez top-scored for the Beermen with 18 points, Quincy Miller and Celedonio Trollano added 14 markers apiece, while Andreas Cahilig contributed 12 points in his first game with his new team.
Donovan Smith tallied a double-double of 37 points and 15 rebounds, while Tio and Jason Perkins added 23 and 21 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters dropped to a 0-3 record./PN
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 107 – Jack 30, Tolentino 27, Munzon 25, Yu 9, Nelle 5, Navarro 4, Flores 4, Onwubere 3, Bulanadi 0, Tratter 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0.
MAGNOLIA 103 – Lastimosa 27, Dela Rosa 16, Dionisio 13, Ratliffe 10, Eriobu 7, Sangalang 6, Lucero 4, Ahanmisi 3, Abueva 3, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 28-31, 59-52, 77-78, 107-103.
