MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier kept Converge FiberXers winless in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup following a 111-95 domination on Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Venkatesha Jois led the way with a double-double of 39 points and 21 rebounds to go with six assists, while Arvin Tolentino chipped in 18 markers as the Batang Pier improved to a 4-2 win-loss slate.
Rookie Cade Flores had his own double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds on top of four steals, Joshua Munzon added 12 markers and four dimes and Fran Yu helped with 11 points for NorthPort.
“Just happy with my players,” said NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan. “Ang objective namin is to outwork ‘yung Converge so at least as a team we were able to do that. For us, we’re going to play harder than the other team.”
After trailing by 48-58 at the half, the FiberXers did show some second half spunk by charging right back to tie the score at 69-all, but Jois and Yu connected for the Batang Pier as they widened the lead to 99-85.
Jamil Wilson put up 30 points and 13 rebounds in his first game as FiberXers’ import, while Mike Nieto chipped in 16 markers, anchored on four triples, as they dropped to 0-6 slate.
Meanwhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots stretched their winning streak to six games following a dominant 105-84 victory over Blackwater Bossing, which suffered its fifth loss in six outings.
Holding to a slim 70-65 lead after three quarters, the Hotshots opened the fourth frame with nine straight points as they widened the lead to as high as 19 points late in the game.
Tyler Bey led the way with a double-double of 26 points and 22 rebounds, Paul Lee added 19 markers, while Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca chipped in 10 apiece.
Rookie Christian David and Mike Ayonayon led the Bossing with 15 points apiece, while reinforcement Chris Ortiz was limited to eight points and eight rebounds after being in foul trouble the entire game./PN
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 111 – Jois 39, Tolentino 18, Flores 13, Munzon 12, Yu 8, Calma 6, Chan 6, Paraiso 4, Amores 2, Taha 0, Salado 0, Caperal 0.
CONVERGE 95 – Wilson 30, Nieto 16, Stockton 9, Ambohot 8, Racal 8, Arana 7, Winston 6, Balanza 5, Delos Santos 4, Santos 2, Wong 0, Maagdenberg 0, Melecio 0.
Quarterscores: 27-27, 58-48, 83-75, 111-95.
