By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Fran Yu showed nerves of steel in the fourth quarter as NorthPort Batang Pier scored a 101-95 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the PBA on Tour at Batangas City Coliseum on Saturday, June 17.
With the Batang Pier clinging to a 78-73 lead in the fourth quarter, Paul Zamar, Johnnel Bauzon and Joshua Munzon came up with consecutive hits to widen their advantage to 85-75.
Yu then stepped up for the Batang Pier with back-to-back three-pointers followed by two free throws from John Michael Calma for a 93-80 lead before the Gin Kings threatened to within 86-93 on connections by Jeremiah Gray, Jayson David and Von Pessumal.
However, Yu kept the Gin Kings at bay anew as he hoisted another three-pointer to extend the Batang Pier’s lead to 96-86, but Ginebra made another run from Pessumal and David to cut the deficit to 92-97.
The Batang Pier increased its advantage anew at 99-92 as Yu connected with two free throws before the Gin Kings made its last push at 95-99 on three freebies by Pessumal, but NorthPort sealed the win on two charity shots by Arvin Tolentino.
Yu, a rookie aspirant in the upcoming PBA Draft this September, top-scored with 21 points, including six three-point conversions, as the Batang Pier notched its third win in five games.
Calma and Zamar chipped in 16 markers apiece, while Tolentino ended with 15 points to go with nine rebounds and four blocks, while Munzon had 10 assists, nine rebounds and eight points for the NorthPort.
The Gin Kings were scorching to start the game behind Gray and Pessumal as they built a 32-17 lead, but the Batang Pier turned things around in the second quarter behind Zamar and Calma to take a 45-41 halftime lead.
The Batang Pier maintained a 55-46 lead in the third canto on back-to-back treys by Zamar and Yu, but the Gin Kings kept the match close as they trimmed the deficit to 63-68 entering the final quarter.
Gray top-scored for the Gin Kings with double-double 26 points and 11 rebounds, Pessumal added 16 markers, while David, Nard John Pinto and Aljon Mariano had 15, 14 and 10, respectively, as they dropped to 1-3.
NORTHPORT 101 — Yu 21, Zazmar 16, Calma 16, Tolentino 15, Munzon 8, Bauzon 8, Salado 8, Ayaay 5, Balagasay 2, Comboy 2, Gabriel 0, Olivario 0.
GINEBRA 95 — Gray 26, Pessumal 16, David 15, Pinto 14, Mariano 10, R. Aguilar 9, Onwubere 3, Gumaru 2, Dillinger 0, Cu 0, Aurin 0.
Quarterscores: 17-32, 45-41, 68-63, 101-95./ASC, WDJ