ANTIPOLO — Joshua Munzon came through with the biggest of plays down the stretch to lift NorthPort past TNT, 100-95, to stay perfect in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday night at the Ynares Center here.
The 29-year-old winger nailed the dagger three for the eventual final scoreline with 1:28 remaining. He delivered another back-breaking shot just as he did against Magnolia the last time out, when he nailed a four in the dying seconds.
He then forced a turnover on Rey Nambatac moments after that triple, and the Batang Pier would come out triumphant in the see-saw battle that saw them cough up a hot start and trail by double digits in the third canto.
Munzon finished with 20 points, three rebounds, two assists, and four steals to help NorthPort annex its fourth win in as many games – the very first time that the franchise began a conference at 4-0, per PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
“Just trying to be aggressive in those moments,” offered the former no. 1 pick, who scored nine of his points in the fourth quarter alone. “I believe in myself. And I know my teammates, we all believe in each other.”
Kadeem Jack top-scored for the Batang Pier with 27 points, 20 of which he made in the second half, and 11 rebounds with three blocks.
Arvin Tolentino notched his own double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds as well, while William Navarro made 12 points and nine rebounds.
Evan Nelle chipped in all-around numbers with eight points, three rebounds, eight assists, and two steals as the team continues to receive solid playmaking from the remaining point guards as they await Jio Jalalon and Paul Zamar.
Nelle, furthermore, was crucial in the endgame, nailing the go-ahead bucket with 2:32 to go to give themselves the lead for good, 95-94.
Tolentino converted a fallaway jumper near the rim afterwards to make it a three-point gap.
Then came the booming corner trifecta of Munzon as momentum fully shifted their way, leaving the Tropang Giga a disappointed bunch.
“We were sharing the ball and everybody took their turns and had their chances,” said Munzon, whose team will next battle Converge this Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, looking, of course, to make it five straight.
Coach Chot Reyes and Co. fell to 0-2, the first time since the 2019 Philippine Cup that the franchise started a conference in such a manner.
Calvin Oftana led TNT with 20 points. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, while Roger Pogoy made 17.
Glenn Khobuntin supplied 14 points while Henry Galinato added 10 markers for the Tropa, who committed a total of 21 turnovers in the loss.
TNT will look to break through against the 1-2 Magnolia in a clash of long-time rivals this Wednesday also at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
NorthPort 100 –Jack 27, Munzon 20, Tolentino 17, Navarro 12, Nelle 8, Yu 6, Onwubere 4, Cuntapay 3, Bulanadi 3, Flores 0, Miranda 0.
TNT 95 – Oftana 20, Hollis-Jefferson 19, Pogoy 17, Khobuntin 14, Galinato 10, Nambatac 9, Aurin 4, Razon 2, Heruela 0, Exciminiano 0, Ebona 0.
Quarterscores: 26-22, 45-52, 72-73, 100-95.
