CJ Perez detonated Columbian’s third quarter explosion to shell-shock the NorthPort Batang Pier, 114-108, to get back on track in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 25-year-old rookie scored 16 of the Dyip’s 38 points in the said period, which flipped an eight-point halftime deficit, 52-60, to a 90-85 lead entering the final frame to turn the game around.
Perez finished with a game-high 26 points on a 55.6-percent shooting clip. He also had 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block in the win that hiked Columbian’s card to 2-1.
“Close ulit yung game. But this time, we won. Before going into this game, sabi ko sa huddle, we need to beat this team if we want to go to the quarterfinals,” said coach Johnedel Cardel.
Rashawn McCarthy supplied 18 points, while Eric Camson provided 14 points and eight rebounds for Columbian.
Glenn Khobuntin chipped in 11 markers, though he failed to finish the match. He hurt his left knee following an accidental collision with Mo Tautuaa during the third quarter.
Robert Bolick had 23 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds to lead NorthPort, who absorbed their second loss in a row.
Tautuaa had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Garvo Lanete had 19 points. Kevin Ferrer chimed in 11 markers and five caroms.
Import Mychal Ammons had 15 points and 11 boards in the defeat.
Both squads will play again on Saturday, October 5, at Ynares Center in Antipolo. NorthPort (1-2) will face the Blackwater Elite (0-2) at 4:30 p.m., while Columbian will play the TNT KaTropa (2-0) at 6:45 p.m.
The Scores:
Columbian 114 — Perez 26, Alston 25, McCarthy 18, Camson 14, Khobuntin 11, Tiongson 6, Celda 5, Calvo 3, Cahilig 2, Faundo 2, Gabayni 2, Corpuz 0, Flores 0.
Northport 108 — Bolick 23, Tautuaa 22, Lanete 19, Ammons 15, Ferrer 11, Escoto 7, Elorde 5, Cruz 4, Mercado 2, Taha 0, King 0.
Quarterscores: 22-30; 52-60; 90-85; 114-108.
