MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier made a triumphant return in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Philippine Cup after a 98-73 manhandling of Blackwater Bossing last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Robert Bolick finished with a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while rookie Jamie Malonzo added 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Batang Pier snapped its two-game losing streak and improved to a 2-3 slate.
Kevin Ferrer ended with 14 points on three outside shots, while Gregory Slaughter chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Batang Pier.
Batang Pier struggled in the first quarter before converting their shots in the second frame behind Bolick, Malonzo, and Ferrer to take a 45-40 halftime lead.
NorthPort’s rampage continued in the second half, with Malonzo and Sidney Onwubere connecting outside shots and Slaughter and Bolick scoring on the inside to build a 95-62 gap on Garvo Lanete’s nine straight points.
Frank Golla led the way with 14 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Richard Escoto tallied a career-high 10 points as the Bossing stayed winless in their previous eight games.
In the first game, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters returned to winning ways to beat Terrafirma Dyip, 96-84. Both teams currently have a win-loss record of 3-5.
Clinging to a 48-47 halftime lead, the Fuel Masters relied on Vic Manuel and Michael Calisaan’s offenses for a 59-49 advantage. However, the Dyip cut it to 64-69 after three quarters.
Phoenix rallied in the fourth quarter behind Manuel’s inside baskets and RJ Jazul’s three-pointers as the gap swelled to 92-74 on a basket by Bacolodnon center Justin Chua.
Jason Perkins led the Fuel Masters with a conference-high 28 points, including 20 in the first two quarters, while Manuel and Matthew Wright scored 18 and 15 points, respectively./PN
