ANTIPOLO – Kadeem Jack nailed the go-ahead bucket as NorthPort averted disaster and escaped San Miguel, 105-104, to return to its winning ways in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, Tuesday night at the Ynares Center here.
The American big man finished with 38 points, none more important than the fadeaway jumper he nailed from the post for the eventual count with 16.7 seconds to spare to put the Batang Pier up after wasting a lead as big as 24.
Coach Bonnie Tan’s wards then forced the Beermen to a 24-second shot-clock violation with 2.6 ticks left to play, eventually completing a rare sweep of the SMC-owned teams in this conference — a first in franchise history.
“Designed play ‘yun for Kadeem,” said lead deputy Rensy Bajar. “Actually lahat ng coaches, we decided na si Kadeem ‘yung last shot — even our team manager, si Coach Pido [Jarencio], na-involve na rin.”
“Kaya dinesign namin ‘yung play na ‘yun for Kadeem because we thought that we had an advantage with Kadeem during that situation,” he added.
(C) PBA Images
NorthPort had previously beaten Magnolia (107-103) and Ginebra (119-116) before pulling off the great escape against another traditional contender.
But what matters most for this team is that they snapped out of a two-game slide, which saw them lose to Meralco and Rain or Shine via big margins.
“Malaking bagay ‘tong panalo namin against San Miguel kasi we’re very down after the losses to Meralco and Rain or Shine,” said Bajar.
Arvin Tolentino came through with 22 points and eight rebounds, together with four assists, two steals, and a block to help NorthPort remain at second in the standings with an 8-3 record, sitting behind the 6-2 TNT.
“It’s a great feeling always sa team, every time you achieve something like what we did tonight. It’s a great feeling for us and also for the team and for the franchise. Everyone, naniniwala lang sa isa’t-isa,” said the star forward.
William Navarro supplied 17 points as he came alive for a team that’s been looking for other sources of offense aside from the aforementioned duo plus Joshua Munzon, who still chipped in 12 points and five assists.
“Chinallenge lang talaga sila ni Coach Bonnie, even our second group namin na kailangan mag-step up kasi hindi nga kaya talaga nina Arvin, nina Josh, and even Kadeem to play 48 minutes or heavy minutes,” Bajar said.
Now assured of advancing to the playoffs, NorthPort will look to boost its bid for a top two finish against the 3-8 Blackwater this Saturday, January 25, in the same venue to close out its elimination round campaign.
(C) PBA Images
June Mar Fajardo, meanwhile, led San Miguel with 24 points and 15 rebounds in the defeat that dropped the reigning conference champions’ card to 4-6, creating a three-way tie at no. 8 with NLEX and Magnolia.
CJ Perez backed him up with 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists in a showing that nearly made him the hero after nailing the free throws that put them ahead, 104-103, with 26.5 seconds left until Jack happened.
Don Trollano had 16 points while Mo Tautuaa and Juami Tiongson added 14 and 10, respectively, as the locals shared the load on offense after receiving practically nothing from Malik Pope, who only had four points.
Pope, the team’s fourth import in this tilt who played just his second game, was brought out past the midway mark of the third, never to return as Coach Leo Austria and his staff opted to go all-Filipino the rest of the way.
The Beermen will now have to sweep their two remaining games in the eliminations if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.
They will face Converge first on Friday, January 24, before battling TNT in a rivalry affair on Sunday, January 26. Both games are at the Ynares Center.
The Scores:
NorthPort 105 – Jack 38, Tolentino 22, Navarro 17, Munzon 12, Nelle 6, Bulanadi 6, Tratter 2, Flores 2, Yu 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0.
San Miguel 104 – Fajardo 24, Perez 21, Trollano 16, Tautuaa 14, Tiongson 10, Cruz 6, Pope 4, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Rosales 3, Ross 0.
Quarterscores: 32-22, 69-52, 91-74, 105-104.
