By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The NorthPort Batang Pier gutted out another close win in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup after a 90-85 escape over the Meralco Bolts at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday afternoon, March 10.
Leading by as much as 12 points in the first half, the Batang Pier suddenly figured in a tight game with the Bolts in the second half as the lead was cut to 85-88 on a layup by Chris Newsome with eight seconds left.
Newsome intentionally missed his free throw, but the Batang Pier managed to collar the rebound, which led to a fastbreak conversion by Cade Flores to extend the lead to 90-85 with two seconds remaining.
John Michael Calma finished with a conference-high of 16 points to go with eight rebounds, while Arvin Tolentino also ended with 16 markers as the Batang Pier secured their third consecutive win for a 3-1 win-loss slate.
Ilonggo Paul Zamar made his presence felt with 14 points, including three three-point conversions, while Flores contributed 13 markers, six rebounds and six steals for NorthPort.
Aaron Black led the way with 18 points, while Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan added 15 and 12 markers, respectively, as the Bolts sustained their second straight defeat to drop to 1-3.
Meanwhile, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings got a lift from rookie Raphael Cu as they clobbered the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 102-92. The Gin Kings improved to 2-0, while the Fuel Masters dropped to 0-2.
Cu, who was selected 23rd overall by the Gin Kings in the recent PBA Rookie Draft, finished with 12 points, built on four three-point conversions, to go with two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and a block in 18 minutes of action.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” Cu said.
“I think this is the most opportunity I’ve had my whole life. Even in college, I was a bench player. I just want to make the most of the opportunities given to me,” he added.
Malonzo led the way for the Gin Kings with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Pringle added 13 markers, while Pinto and Christian Standhardinger ended with 12 points apiece./ASC, WDJ
NORTHPORT 90 — Calma 16, Tolentino 16, Zamar 14, Flores 13, Adamos 7, Lucero 7, Chan 7, Munzon 6, Yu 4, Rosales 0, Bulanadi 0, Paraiso 0.
MERALCO 85 — Black 18, Newsome 15, Almazan 12, Quinto 8, Rios 6, Jose 6, Mendoza 6, Banchero 5, Maliksi 4, Torres 3, Hodge 2, Caram 0.
Quarterscores: 19-15, 43-43, 68-64, 90-85.