MANILA – NorthPort Batang Pier overcame a flat start to defeat NLEX Road Warriors, 114-87, in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Arvin Tolentino sizzled with 29 points, with 14 coming in the second half, to go with three rebounds, two assists, and a block as the FiberXers opened their campaign on a winning note.
“Kinalawang kami nung simula, siguro factor na din ‘yung konti lang ‘yung practices namin together, but buti at nakabawi naman kami nung second half,” Tolentino said in a post-game interview.
Down by as many as 16 points in the opening quarter, the Batang Pier slowly carved their way back behind the offense of William Navarro, and Kadeem Jack to cut the deficit to 21-29.
The Batang Pier took control of the match from second quarter onwards behind the hot shooting of Tolentino as they lead grew to as high as 31 points at 114-83 on a basket by rookie Agem Miranda.
Jack finished with 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Allyn Bulanadi and Joshua Munzon contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Batang Pier.
Michael Griffin-Watkins tallied a double-double of 29 points and 19 rebounds, Ritchie Rodger added 11 markers, while Javee Mocon and Anthony Semerad ended with 10 points apiece for the Road Warriors.
Meanwhile, guest team Eastern of Hong Kong had a dominant PBA debut as they defeated Phoenix Fuel Masters, 102-87, on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Hayden Blankley had an all-around game of 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocks to be named Player of the Game as the Eastern tied Converge FiberXers on top with a 1-0 record.
Cameron Clark led the way for the Eastern with 25 points and 11 rebounds to go with two steals and two blocks, while Glen Yang and Yin Lung Cheong contributed 13 and 11 markers, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
NORTHPORT 114 – Tolentino 29, Jack 25, Bulanadi 14, Munzon 12, Yu 8, Navarro 7, Miranda 5, Onwubere 4, Cuntapay 4, Taha 2, Flores 2, Tratter 2, Nelle 0.
NLEX 87 – Watkins 29, Rodger 11, Mocon 10, Semerad 10, Amer 6, Torres 6, Bolick 3, Nieto 3, Nermal 3, Policarpio 2, Valdez 2, Herndon 2, Marcelo 0, Fajardo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-29, 56-41, 91-67, 114-87.
