By Adrian Stewart Co

NorthPortBatang Pier stays alive in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals round after a 115-90 rout on NLEX Road Warriors last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Michael Qualls tallied double-double 39 points and 18 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger chipped in 24 markers and 13 boards as the Batang Pier sends the quarterfinal series to a do-or-die game on Wednesday.

The Batang Pier jumped to an early lead behind hits from Qualls and Standhardinger as they widen the advantage to as high as 25 markers in the third quarter.

The Road Warriors showed some life in the fourth quarter to come to as close as 81-95 but lost the momentum following the ejections of John Paul Erram and Paul Varilla for flagrant fouls on Qualls.

The Batang Pier used this opportunity to break the game wide open behind Qualls and Standhardinger as the lead went up to 115-90 after a three-pointer by Jervy Cruz.

JR Quiñahan finished with 20 points, while Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and Manny Harris added 16 and 12 markers, respectively, for the no. 1 seed Road Warriors, which has lost its last three matches./ASC, WDJ