The NorthPort Batang Pier made a strong case for upsetting the dreaded San Miguel Beermen on Wednesday night in Cuneta Astrodome, when they battled back from 19 points down to give the league powerhouse a major threat.
From a 57-76 deficit in the third canto, the Batang Pier made a spirited rally in the fourth quarter. Jonathan Grey’s five straight points – a triple and a contested lay-up – tied the game up at 94-all with about seven minutes to go.
But San Miguel’s poise was just too much to overcome.
After allowing NorthPort to send the match into a deadlock, the Beermen responded with an 11-3 run – highlighted by back-to-back treys from import Kevin Murphy and Chris Ross – en route to a 105-97 lead with 4:25 remaining.
And when the Batang Pier fought back again and knocked to within a solitary point, 107-108, with 1:41 left to play, Ross and Christian Standhardinger joined hands for six straight points to apply the finishing touches.
San Miguel won, 114-107, to collect their third straight victory.
“Nag-collapse kami nung end,” lamented the sophomore Grey, whose 18-point, five-rebound, and four-assist effort went down the drain. “Tapos, suwerte rin sila sa mga three points nila, sunod-sunod.
“Yun, dun na natapos yung laro.”
The loss dropped NorthPort to 2-8, meaning they’ve been kicked out of the playoff race. This wasn’t the kind of stint they were expected to have, as they had made the quarters in the 2018 Philippine and Commissioner’s Cups.
“Marami ring injuries. Sila Stanley [Pringle] nung start namin wala, si Sean [Anthony] injured, ako na-injured din ako, kulang-kulang talaga kami from the start,” recalled the 26-year-old guard, who got shipped to NorthPort last season from the Meralco Bolts.
“Siguro yun yung parang pinakamalaking reason ba’t kami kinapos.”
The Batang Pier will have a chance to end their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign on a high note when they take on Mike Harris and the Alaska Aces this Sunday, October 28, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Move on na lang, focus sa next game namin,” shared the 6-foot-3 guard.
“Para makapag-ready tayo next conference, para makapag-prepare na tayo habang maaga pa.”
