Lady Luck was on the side of NorthPort as Columbian Dyip’s costly violation down the stretch helped the Batang Pier win, 110-108, in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday evening at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Robert Bolick missed his lay-up with 2.8 seconds left to play, but replays showed Dyip import Lester Prosper touched the rim. It was then ruled a goaltending violation, giving NorthPort the two-point lead and eventually the win.
“Breaks of the game,” said NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio in the win that hiked the Batang Pier’s win-loss record to 8-2, which lifted them nearer to clinching a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. “But a win is a win.”
Mo Tautuaa led NorthPort with 23 points, six assists, five rebounds, and a steal. Bolick and Kevin Ferrer supplied 21 points apiece, as import Prince Ibeh provided 17 points, 15 rebounds, six blocks, and two assists.
Nico Elorde had 14 points, seven boards, six dimes, and three steals in his return to NorthPort from a hamstring injury.
The Batang Pier managed to win without Sean Anthony. He sat out the game reportedly due to a swollen ankle.
Prosper had 36 points and 17 rebounds to lead Columbian, who is coming off a huge 134-132 win over the San Miguel Beermen just this Sunday. The Dyip have fallen to 2-7 after the defeat, making their playoff chances much slimmer.
CJ Perez had 29 points on a 64-percent shooting clip, 12 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block in the loss. Rashawn McCarthy had a double-double outing as well with 16 points and 10 rebounds, with four assists and two steals.
Northport will have an eight-day break before facing Meralco on Friday, July 12 at the Cuneta Astrodome. Columbian, on the other hand, fights for its dear life on Saturday against Phoenix.
The Scores:
NorthPort 110 – Tautuaa 23, Bolick 21, Ferrer 21, Ibeh 17, Elorde 14, Mercado 7, Cruz 4, Lanete 2, Arana 1, Flores 0.
Columbian 108 – Prosper 36, Perez 29, McCarthy 16, Agovida 8, Khobuntin 6, Camson 5, Escoto 4, Cahilig 0, Gabriel 0, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-21, 52-50, 82-81, 110-108
