Mo Tautuaa played a big role when the NorthPort Batang Pier managed to end their skid in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday.
When Phoenix Pulse was coming back in the game’s final minutes, the 6-foot-7 slotman buried a jumper with 1:25 left. His shot sparked a 6-0 run that gave the Batang Pier an 80-68 lead with 24.1 ticks left.
NorthPort then came out with the 80-70 victory that ended its four-game slide in the season-ending tilt, as well as its five-game slump versus the Fuel Masters that dated back from last season.
For Tautuaa — who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds — defense was the key in Saturday night’s win.
“Defense was the key. That’s all it was. We put emphasis on defense,” the four-year pro said.
“We played defense. It ignites our offense. If we make stops, we move well on the open court.”
The defense was indeed the key for NorthPort, and that showed right away when it limited Phoenix Pulse to just eight points in the opening frame while it poured in 17 markers.
The Batang Pier forced the Fuel Masters to commit 23 turnovers, which they flipped to 23 easy points. These also allowed them to score 11 points off transition opportunities.
Phoenix Pulse import Eugene Phelps had 14 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. Still, it was a bad shooting night for him, with a 5-of-14 clip as the Batang Pier made it hard for him.
The win improved NorthPort’s card to 2-4. And for Tautuaa, this win gives them confidence not just for their next game against San Miguel, but for the whole tilt as well.
“It’s gonna give us some confidence actually not just for that game, but for the whole conference.”
