MANILA, Philippines – Driving on a scorching streak after the elimination spherical, the NorthPort turns its concentrate on the playoff grind, whereas NLEX retains its quarterfinal hopes alive.
The NorthPort Batang Pier wrapped up a formidable elimination-round marketing campaign by turning again the also-ran Blackwater Bossing, 120-93, on Saturday, January 25, within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on the Ynares Heart.
The win bolstered NorthPort’s bid for a twice-to-beat spot within the playoffs because the Batang Pier ended the eliminations with a 9-3 win-loss report, adequate to momentarily maintain the highest seed within the standings.
The Batang Pier now hopes for one of many 7-3 groups (Meralco Bolts, Hong Kong Jap, and TNT Tropang Giga) to at the very least lose one in all their closing video games to formally clinch the top-two spot and the twice-to-beat edge.
If NorthPort finishes within the prime two, they’ll possible face both the San Miguel Beermen or the Magnolia Hotshots, who’re each combating for the final playoff ticket. Curiously, the Batang Pier took down each the Hotshots and the Beermen of their earlier elimination-round encounters.
“Proper now, we’re prepared for no matter problem we encounter in the course of the playoffs,” stated Batang Pier assistant coach Rensy Bajar. “No matter occurs, whichever opponent we’ll play within the playoffs, we’re prepared.”
Arvin Tolentino posted a triple-double of 14 factors, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists to steer the lopsided beatdown of the nonetheless George King-less Blackwater, which closed out its marketing campaign with a 3-9 mark.
Import Kadeem Jack added 30 factors on an environment friendly 11-of-17 capturing from the sphere to proceed his high-quality play within the PBA.
Two-way star Joshua Munzon additionally tallied 21 factors on an environment friendly 7-of-11 clip because the Batang Pier scored 30 factors in every quarter en path to the win.
Bench gamers Paolo Taha and Allyn Bulanadi additionally chipped in 12 factors every for NorthPort.
“These gamers are able to play, and able to settle for the problem. Hopefully, we maintain the great play we’re exhibiting. Then, whoever we play within the playoffs, we’re prepared,” Bajar stated.
In the meantime, Justin Chua closed out the convention with a 15-point, 8-rebound efficiency for the Bossing.
Within the second recreation, the NLEX Street Warriors secured an all-important 122-110 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to seize a share of the eighth seed with a 5-6 report.
Robert Bolick recorded 40 factors and 10 assists to tow the Street Warriors in a victory that pulled them again within the playoff race.
Mike Watkins additionally contributed 25 factors and 14 rebounds for the Street Warriors.
Rain or Shine fell for the second straight recreation to slip to the seventh spot with a 6-5 report.
Deon Thompson paced Rain or Shine with 26 factors and 11 rebounds, whereas Jhonard Clarito had 20 factors in a dropping effort.
The Scores
First Recreation
NorthPort 120 – Jack 30, Munzon 21, Tolentino 14, Bulanadi 12, Taha 12, Nelle 7, Navarro 7, Cuntapay 5, Flores 4, Yu 2, Onwubere 2, Tratter 2, Miranda 2.
Blackwater 93 – Chua 15, Ilagan 11, Tungcab 9, Escoto 9, Jopia 8, Corteza 8, Kwekuteye 7, Ayonayon 6, Guinto 5, David 5, Mitchell 4, Casio 3, Ponferrada 3, Suerte 0.
Quarters: 30-26, 60-43, 90-63, 120-93.
Second Recreation
NLEX 122 – Bolick 40, Watkins 25, Semerad 17, Torres 12, Alas 11, Mocon 10, Policarpio 4, Ramirez 3, Herndon 0.
Rain or Shine 110 – Thompson 26, Clarito 20, Nocum 16, Santillan 12, Datu 10, caracut 8, Tiongson 4, Belga 4, Ildefonso 4, Lemetti 6, Norwood 0.
Quarters: 29-23, 65-48, 86-79, 122-110.
– Rappler.com
