There's still no stopping NorthPort even coming from a long holiday breather. And there's still no end on Batang Pier's breakthrough romp.
They broke new ground, ending a long losing spell versus the Barangay Ginebra Kings with a 119-116 escape win in their PBA Commissioner's Cup tussle at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Wednesday night.
Kadeem Jack, Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon each poured in at least 27 points each, powering the Batang Pier to a first win versus the Gin Kings since December of 2019 to stay on top with a 7-1 win-loss card.
The Gin Kings actually rallied from an 18-point deficit but a missed free throw and a crucial error by Justin Brownlee in the closing seconds prevented Ginebra from completing a steal.
The Kings slid to 5-3 in the end, blowing a shot at gaining a tie for third place with the Converge FiberXers at 6-2.
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Jack fired 32 points, Tolentino rifled in 29 while Munzon drilled in 27 as the Batang Pier sustained their hot pace coming from a long respite.
Coach Bonnie Tan said it's a good win to start a tough stretch where they play heavyweights in the Gin Kings, the Meralco Bolts, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters then the San Miguel Beermen.
At 7-1, the Batang Pier have put a lock on a playoff berth. They're now to push their drive in a bid for a Top Two finish and its reward of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
The Gin Kings waged a fiery chase from an 18-point deficit late in the third and had a chance to equalize but Brownlee missed the middle of three charities with 8.9 ticks to go.
A quick Ginebra foul sent Munzon to the stripe, and the NorthPort guard/forward split his charities to make it 118-116 with time down to 7.9 seconds.
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That gave Ginebra an opening the last time to tie or even grab the lead but Brownlee turned the ball over on a crucial error.
Jack made it 119-116 with 1.3 seconds to go, and the Batang Pier went on to claim the morale-boosting triumph. (SB)
The Scores :
NORTHPORT 119 - Jack 32, Tolentino 29, Munzon 27, Flores 9, Navarro 8, Bulanadi 5, Onwubere 4, Cuntapay 3, Yu 2, Nelle 0, Jalalon 0.
GINEBRA 116 - Brownlee 23, Thompson 17, Rosario 17, Abarrientos 17, Ahanmisi 12, Holt 11, Cu 9, J.Aguilar 8, Tenorio 2.
QUARTERS : 31-27, 67-58, 98-87, 119-116.
