NorthPort concluded its elimination round campaign in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup by matching a franchise-best win total, dominating also-ran Blackwater, 120-93, on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Batang Pier wrapped up the round with an impressive 9-3 record.
That matches their achievement in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, when they finished with a 9-2 slate before falling to the No. 7 seed San Miguel in the quarterfinals.
More importantly, NorthPort moved closer to securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.
Northport can clinch the playoff edge if Meralco loses one of its final two games (against Ginebra or Magnolia) or if two teams — among Hong Kong Eastern, Meralco, and TNT — drop at least one of their remaining matches.
(C) PBA Images
“Kagaya ng nabanggit nga sa amin ni Coach Bonnie (Tan) sa team, saluhin namin lagi ng dalawang kamay ‘yung binibigay na panalo para sa amin. Hopefully, maka-end up kami sa number one or number two spot after the elimination,” said Batang Pier assistant coach Rensy Bajar.
Kadeem Jack capitalized on the absence of Blackwater’s George King, delivering a stellar performance with 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting, along with six rebounds.
Joshua Munzon added 21 points on an efficient 7-of-11 clip. Meanwhile, Arvin Tolentino notched a triple-double with 14 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds — the second of his career.
Allyn Bulanadi and Paolo Taha each scored 12 points off the bench.
(C) PBA Images
On the other hand, Blackwater management opted to sit King out for its final game of the conference to avoid “drama” within the team, according to sources.
King also missed the Bossing’s 100-92 win over Phoenix four days earlier, citing a “sore knee.”
Justin Chua led Blackwater with 15 points and eight rebounds, but the Bossing closed their campaign with a 3-9 record, marking another challenging conference.
The Scores:
NorthPort 120 – Jack 30, Munzon 21, Tolentino 14, Bulanadi 12, Taha 12, Navarro 7, Nelle 7, Cuntapay 5, Flores 4, Onwubere 2, Miranda 2, Tratter 2, Yu 2.
Blackwater 93 – Chua 15, Ilagan 11, Tungcab 9, Escoto 9, Jopia 8, Corteza 8, Kwekuteye 7, Ayonayon 6, Guinto 5, David 5, Mitchell 4, Ponferada 3, Casio 3, Suerte 0.
Quarterscores: 30-26, 60-43, 90-63, 120-93.
