NORTHPORT finally puts its act together and gave interim coach Bonnie Tan his breakthrough win via a 115-100 decision over Terrafirma Wednesday in the PBA Governors Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Kevin Murphy, Robert Bolick, John Calma and Joshua Munzon each put on a commendable performance that enabled the Batang Pier to turn off their self-destruct mode in their previous games, especially in the stretch, and complete the wire-to-wire win.
"If you evaluate 'yung game, lalo na sa endgame, nag-step up 'yung mga experienced players natin like captain ball Jeff Chan and our main point guard, si Robert Bolick. Iyon 'yung mga nag-close out ng game," said Tan.
"Everyone played well, including Roi (Sumang) and Calma, mga role players natin na nag-step up," added Tan.
Indeed, Chan only had five points but issued a game-high nine assists while Sumang, who sat out the last two games due to a sprain, dished out six dimes with Calma most often his receiver.
Sponsored content:
Still, the headliners spearheaded the charge with Murphy emerging with 28 points and nine rebounds and Bolick chiefly backing him up with 26 points, nine boards and six assists. Calma chipped in 18 points and nine boards and Munzon had 17 markers against his former team.
Arwind Santos also saw action for the first time in the conference, missing all his three shots in his first seven minutes of action but providing a huge morale-boost for his NorthPort teammates by being just on the court.
NorthPort actually led by as many as 16 points early but had to dig deep when Terrafirma clawed its way back to within 82-88, early in the fourth period.
JP Calvo's twinner kept the Dyip within 91-98, but Bolick answered with his own layup and Chan found Paolo Taha for a corner 3 that sparked a 14-5 assault and put the Batang Pier out of reach, 112-96, only 2:25 to go.
Jordan Williams notched 25 points and Juami Tiongson 18 but could not prevent Terrafirma from absorbing a fourth straight loss that dropped it to a 2-6 slate in all. (NC)
Sponsored content:
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 115 - Murphy 28, Bolick 26, Calma 18, Munzon 17, Tolentino 9, Taha 7, Chan 5, Zamar 4, Sumang 1, Caperal 0, Balagasay 0, Santos 0, Vigil 0, Ayaay 0, Salado 0.
TERRAFIRMA 100 - J.Williams 25, Tiongson 18, Calvo 12, Camson 12, Gabayni 9, Cahilig 7, Ramos 7, Mina 3, Daquioag 3, Gomez de Liano 2, Alolino 2, Cabagnot 0, Grospe 0.
QUARTERS: 33-28, 61-47, 88-80, 115-100.
