By Adrian Stewart Co

NorthPort Batang Pier recovered from a slow start to score a come-from-behind 102-99 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Sean Anthony led the win with 22 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and four assists; Juan Paolo Taha scored 16 markers; while Moala Tautuaa and Jonathan Grey each added 14 markers.
Trailing by as much as 10 points early in the second period, Batang Pier countered with a run from Anthony, Tautuaa, and Garvo Lanete to take a 42-41 edge before widening it to a 48-43 halftime lead on a triple by Grey.
Batang Pier continued its run in the third period with three-pointers from Grey, Taha, and Robert Bolick to build its largest lead of 70-54 before the Hotshots cut it to 70-62 heading into the fourth.
Batang Pier increased their lead back to double figures, taking a 92-79 advantage in the fourth before the Hotshots made their last push. While they managed to narrow the gap to 98-95, free throws by Anthony sealed the win for NorthPort./ASC, WDJ