MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier avoided humiliation from Terrafirma Dyip by pulling off a come-from-behind 91-85 victory in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup over the weekend at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Down by as much as 15 points and trailing 64-71 after three quarters, Batang Pier opened the fourth quarter with baskets from Shej Roi Sumang, Arvin Tolentino and Robert Bolick Jr. to take a 74-73 lead.
The Dyip responded with a run to take an 80-74 lead but the Batang Pier went on another rally courtesy of Tolentino, William Navarro and Jerrick Balanza to tie the score at 81-all before pulling away for good.
Tolentino finished with career-high 31 points, including five outside conversions, to go with 12 rebounds and three steals as the Batang Pier scored back-to-back victory for a 5-5 win-loss slate.
Bolick had a near triple-double of 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, Navarro contributed 12 markers, while reinforcement Prince Ibeh hauled 17 rebounds to go with seven points for NorthPort.
Lester Prosper had double-double 23 points and 18 rebounds, while Juan Miguel Tiongson and Alex Cabagnot added 18 and 16 markers, respectively, as the Dyip remained win-less in nine games.
Meanwhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots rode on a strong start before holding off Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 90-80, and stay on top of the standings at 7-1. The Fuel Masters dropped to 5-5.
The Hotshots surged to a 27-18 first quarter behind inside hits from Ian Sangalang and perimeter hits by Nicholas Rakocevic. It grew to 50-36 at the half on outside hits by Andy Mark Barroca and Rome dela Rosa.
The Fuel Masters kept the match close in the second half and were able to trim the deficit to 71-78 early in the fourth, but three-pointers by Paul Lee and inside hits from Calvin Abueva preserved the win for the Hotshots.
Rakocevic led the Hotshots with double-double 18 points and 18 rebounds, Abueva also had 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Jiovani Jalalon flirted with triple-double with 12 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 91 – Tolentino 31, Bolick 12, Navarro 12, Ibeh 9, Sumang 7, Balanza 6, Ferrer 5, Ayaay 4, Salado 3, Chan 2, Taha 0.
TERRAFIRMA 85 – Prosper 23, Tiongson 18, Cabagnot 16, Alolino 8, Ramos 8, Munzon 5, Calvo 3, Cahilig 2, Javelona 2, Camson 0, Gabayni 0, Gomez de Liano 0.
Quarterscores: 20-28, 45-55, 64-71, 91-85./PN
