By Adrian Stewart Co

NorthPort Batang Pier clinched a spot in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals over the weekend after their 98-96 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Michael Qualls tallied a double-double for Batang Pier with 30 points and 13 rebounds, while Sean Anthony delivered 18 points, Christian Standhardinger scored 17, and Kevin Ferrer added 11.
Barangay Ginebra jumped to a double-digit edge early in the game but Qualls made it a one-point game for NorthPort after narrowing the deficit to 52-51 at the half.
After Batang Pier later surged to a 93-87 lead, Barangay Ginebra trimmed that lead to 93-92.
Juan Paolo Taha led Batang Pier to a 97-92 advantage; however, Barangay Ginebra made it a one-point game anew and got to within 97-96.
A Taha free throw sealed the win.
The win earned NorthPort the seventh playoff spot./ASC, WDJ