Like a well-oiled machine, the NorthPort Batang Pier continued their solid run in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, sending a statement to the San Miguel Beermen with a 121-88 victory, Wednesday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang Pier pulled away in the second quarter after a tied affair at the end of the opening chapter, and that started the one-sided affair in their favor that saw them lead by as many as 36 a few times in the final period.
NorthPort improved to 4-1 following their 33-point win, which is their biggest winning margin in franchise history.
“Naano lang namin na off-night yung San Miguel. Basta sabi ko sa kanila be aggressive lang. Keep on attacking,” said head coach Pido Jarencio. “Vacation mode pa San Miguel. Pero kailangan natin ng panalo dahil maikli conference.”
Robert Bolick led Batang Pier’s balanced attack with 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting with seven rebounds.
Import Prince Ibeh provided 18 points on a 9-of-13 clip from the field and 11 rebounds, with two assists and two blocks. Garvo Lanete and Jonathan Grey had 16 points apiece on a combined 10-of-18 shooting from the field.
Mo Tautuaa had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Nico Elorde flirted with a triple-double with 11 points as well with nine boards and six assists. Sean Anthony chimed in 10 markers, 12 caroms, four dimes, and two steals.
“Injured yung tatlo — Stanley [Pringle], [Bradwyn] Guinto and [Ryan] Araña kaya yung rotation maikli lang. Wala tayo masabi. Basta importante gameplan nasunod. Kung sino naglalaro sa kalaban naka-ready kami,” Jarencio said.
Returning import Charles Rhodes produced 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Beermen, who suffered their worst defeat since losing to Barangay Ginebra in Game Four of the 2007 Philippine Cup Finals, 111-146.
June Mar Fajardo had 19 points and five rebounds in the defeat.
NorthPort will next face the Magnolia Hotshots next Wednesday, June 12, still at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. San Miguel, on the other hand, will battle rivals TNT KaTropa this Saturday, June 8, at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Scores:
NorthPort 121 – Bolick 25, Ibeh 18, Lanete 16, Grey 16, Tautuaa 11, Elorde 11, Anthony 10, Taha 9, Flores 3, Gabayni 2.
San Miguel 88 – Rhodes 27, Fajardo 19, Santos 11, Pessumal 11, Standhardinger 6, Cabagnot 5, Zamar 4, Vigil 3, Lassiter 2, Rosser 0, Mamaril 0.
Quarerscores: 25-25, 54-41, 91-63, 121-88
