Joshua Munzon carries NorthPort to a franchise-best 5-0 report on the expense of Converge and PBA debutant Justine Baltazar, whereas once-winless Blackwater arms Meralco its first loss in a surprising blowout
MANILA, Philippines – Thus far, there isn’t any stopping NorthPort within the 2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Regardless of Converge fielding former No. 1 choose Justine Baltazar for the primary time, the undefeated Batang Pier nonetheless gained their fifth straight recreation on the FiberXers’ expense, 108-101, on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, December 12.
Star guard Joshua Munzon stored up his torrid begin to the brand new convention with 30 factors on 11-of-20 taking pictures, highlighted by back-to-back clutch triples that Converge by no means recovered from with 1:45 left in regulation to interrupt a 97-all impasse again on the 2:56 mark.
Standout import Kadeem Jack led his streaking squad with 32 factors and 15 rebounds in 44 minutes of motion, whereas Arvin Tolentino was likewise a stat sheet stuffer within the win with 21 factors and 13 rebounds to increase the Batang Pier’s franchise-best successful streak.
Converge star recruit Jordan Heading paced the dropping trigger down a 2-2 slate with 30 factors, 6 boards, and 6 assists, as rising stars Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston scored 16 and 15, respectively.
Baltazar, in the meantime, scattered 5 factors, 4 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 1 steal in simply 20 minutes off the bench, mere days after main Pampanga to a different MPBL championship.
In the meantime, the Blackwater Bossing broke by the win column after three losses in dominant vogue towards the once-unbeaten Meralco Bolts, 114-98.
Fil-Am star guard Sedrick Barefield pumped 33 factors on 13-of-21 taking pictures within the win to go along with 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal, whereas high-scoring import George King added 32 factors and 14 boards in 42 minutes of motion.
Chris Newsome led the forgettable loss for the import-less Bolts with 22 factors, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a pair of steals. Bong Quinto scored 19 as Cliff Hodge churned out a 13-point, 10-board double-double.
The Scores
First Sport
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.
Quarters : 24-33, 54-57, 75-76, 108-101.
Second Sport
Blackwater 114 – Barefield 33, King 32, David 17, Kwekuteye 10, Ilagan 6, Suerte 6, Casio 4, Chua 4, Montalbo 2, Jopia 0, Escoto 0, Hill 0, Guinto 0.
Meralco 98 – Newsome 22, Quinto 19, Hodge 13, Black 12, Jose 8, Reyson 7, Rios 5, Torres 5, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Pascual 0.
Quarters : 28-21, 48-49, 83-79, 114-98.
– Rappler.com
