JOSHUA Munzon again answered the call for Northport to pull off a 108-101 win over Converge and stretched its undefeated run in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Munzon tallied a game-high 30 points, highlighted by two straight clutch baskets from three-point range to put the Batang Pier in front for good and spoiled the highly-awaited league debut of no. 1 overall pick Justine Baltazar.
The six straight points of the Fil-Am forward broke the game's final deadlock at 97-all as the Batang Pier notched their fifth straight victory.
The 5-0 record kept Northport on top of the standings, stretched the team's best start in franchise history, and equaled the longest win streak of the 12-year old ballclub.
"It was a back and forth game, but at the end of the day, we just ended up making more shots. More than anything else, I'm happy that we're 5 and 0," said Munzon, who also added three rebounds, three assists, and three steals,
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The victory ruined the first game of the 6-foot-8 Baltazar for Converge, which fell to an even 2-2 record.
Baltazar, who just steered the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to a second straight MPBL championship, had five points, four rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes of play, but was hardly a factor down the stretch for the FiberXers.
Fellow rookie Jordan Heading carried the load for Converge in the fourth quarter where he scored 10 of his team-high 30 points, while Alec Stockton added 16 and nailed a three pointer that tied the game for the last time at 97 with 2:55 to go.
Munzon then stepped on the plate by hitting back-to-back 3s, before import Kadeem Jack added another from the same area on a lucky bounce to cap a 9-2 run that gave the Batang Pier a 106-99 lead.
"We just discussed na huwag naming ibibigay sa isang rookie (in his first game) yung magandang ginagawa natin sa first four games," said coach Bonnie Tan of Northport's pre-game huddle.
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"At least nag step up yung players natin to get that fifth win. Kumbaga yung run that was done by the team ay masisira lang ng isang rookie player. So na-challenge siguro sila sa ganun and na-realize ng mga players na masasayang nga yung 4-0 start nila."
Saddled with foul trouble, Converge import Cheick Diallo was held to just 13 points and nine rebounds.(RG)
The scores
Northport (108) -- Jack 32, Munzon 30, Tolentino 21, Nelle 13, Yu 6, Navarro 4, Onwubere 2, Flores 0, Tratter 0, Bulanadi 0, Cuntapay 0, Miranda 0.
Converge (101) -- Heading 30, Stockton 16, Winston 15, Diallo 13, Arana 8, Racal 7, Baltazar 5, Santos 4, Andrade 3, Delos Santos 0, Nieto 0, Javillonar 0, Caralipio 0.
Quarterscores: 24-33; 54-57; 75-76; 108-101.
