MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier handed Magnolia Pambansang Hotshots its first loss in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 103-101 escape last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Staring at another possible heartbreak against the Hotshots after seeing its 19-point lead erased, the Batang Pier leaned on clutch hits from Jamel Artis and Jamie Malonzo to regain the lead at 94-92.
The Hotshots responded with a run to grab the lead back for the last time at 98-96 but five straight points by Artis and a free throw by Malonzo gave the Batang Pier a 102-99 lead.
After the Hotshots cut the deficit to 101-102 via free throws by Mike Harris, the Batang Pier widened it to 103-101 on an Artis free throw before Paul Lee missed his triple try for Magnolia.
Artis played the entire 48 minutes for the Batang Pier. He finished with 42 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Malonzo chipped in 19 points.
Arwind Santos and Shej Roi Sumang added 14 and 10 points, respectively, for the 2-5 NorthPort that was without Robert Bolick (Gilas Pilipinas) and Kevin Ferrer (injury).
Harris tallied double-double 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Andy Mark Barroca and Lee added 16 and 14 points, respectively, as the Hotshots dropped to 6-1.
In the first game, Meralco Bolts cruised to a wire-to-wire 107-95 domination over Terrafirma Dyip for a share of top spot in the standings with the Hotshots with 6-1 slate.
Holding to a 30-26 edge in the first quarter, the Bolts went on a scoring rampage in the second period behind Tony Bishop and Chris Newsome as the lead reached 80-57 early in the third.
The Dyip trimmed the deficit to 86-100 but a three-pointer by Allein Maliksi followed by inside hits from Cliff Hodge and Newsoms sealed the win for the Bolts.
Bishop spearheaded the offense for the Bolts with double-double 26 points and 18 rebounds, while Maliksi and Hodge chipped in 18 and 16 points, respectively.
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 103 — Artis 42, Malonzo 19, Santos 14, Sumang 10, Taha 9, Balanza 5, Doliguez 2, Abundo 1, Rike 1.
MAGNOLIA 101 — Harris 32, Barroca 16, Lee 14, Dionisio 11, Jalalon 10, Sangalang 9, Corpuz 4, Ahanmisi 3, Reavis 0, Wong 0, Brill 0.
Quarterscores: 33-21, 58-46, 77-62, 103-101./PN
