MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier got back on the winning track in the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 106-89 rout of also-ran Blackwater Bossing last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Joshua Munzon led the way with 20 points, including four three-point conversions, while reinforcement Venkatesha Jois added 19 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists for the Batang Pier.
Ilonggo Paul Zamar ended with 13 points, while Aklanon Kris Rosales, Arvin Tolentino, and John Michael Calma ended with 10 each as the Batang Pier snapped their two-game losing skid.
With a 6-4 win-loss slate, the Batang Pier secured its place in the quarterfinals round with still a game remaining in their schedule against defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Sunday night.
From a seesaw battle to start the first quarter, the Batang Pier connected consecutive points late in the period behind Tolentino, Jois, and Rosales to take a slim 18-17 lead.
The Bossing started the second period with their own run to snatch the lead at 24-20 and 28-25 before John Amores unloaded seven points to build a 43-35 halftime lead.
The Batang Pier leaned on consecutive shots from Zamar at the onset of the third period to build a 65-46 edge before the Bossing tried to rally back early in the fourth canto to make it a 15-point deficit.
NorthPort, however, answered back with back-to-back hits from Cade Flores and consecutive hits from Tolentino and Jois for a 95-75 spread with over five minutes left.
Rey Suerte led the way for the Bossing with 20 points, rookie Christian David added a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, Chris Ortiz ended with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Archie Concepcion chipped in 10 markers.
The Bossing, which is already out of playoffs contention, slumped to a 1-9 record and they will conclude their elimination round matches against San Miguel Beermen on Jan. 10./PN
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 106 — Munzon 20, Jois 19, Zamar 13, Tolentino 10, Rosales 10, Calma 10, Amores 7, Yu 6, Flores 5, Bulanadi 5, Paraiso 1, Chan 0, Adamos 0, Taha 0.
BLACKWATER 89 — Suerte 20, David 17, Ortiz 14, Concepcion 10, Kwekuteye 8, Ilagan 7, Escoto 5, Digregorio 3, Jopia 2, Hill 2, Ular 1, Amer 0, Guinto 0, Banal 0.
Quarterscores: 18-17, 43-35, 84-66, 106-89.
