NorthPort finally scored a win as it ended the unbeaten run of Meralco, 109-98, in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup, Thursday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang Pier exploded for 34 big points in the third quarter alone, waking up after being down by 19 points late in the first quarter on the way to their first victory after starting the season-ending conference with five consecutive losses.
The last time that the team won was on September 23, 2021. There, it dealt Alaska a 122-94 beating to wrap up its Philippine Cup eliminations campaign.
“Kahit papaano, we got the monkey off our backs,” said head coach Pido Jarencio. “Zero-five, mahirap maka-recover. Kaya, sabi ko sa kanila, ‘pag nag-0-6 tayo, ang hirap na. Kaya ano, I think this is the time to start winning.”
Jamel Arits led NorthPort with 26 points and seven rebounds in the triumph that also served as a fitting welcome for the returning Robert Bolick.
The star guard, back in action after the protracted contract negotiations with the team, finished with 22 points, seven boards, and six assists.
Forty-year-old Arwind Santos registered his own double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 43 minutes, while rookie Jamie Malonzo very much made his presence felt as well with 14 markers and seven caroms.
The aforementioned players all had a hand in that third quarter turnaround, where they joined forces for a 20-3 run that turned a six-point deficit to a 68-57 advantage past the halfway point of the said period.
The Batang Pier led by as many as 20 points, 86-66, following a three-pointer by Bolick with less than a minute into the final chapter.
The Bolts, though, managed to cut the deficit to just nine, 94-85, behind Chris Newsome. But Bolick was quick to reply with a lay-up, and his teammates took it from there to put the opposition away once and for all.
“They put a lot of energy sa defense. Nag-iba ‘yung tempo ng game, nakahabol kami. It started with defense, lahat,” said Jarencio.
NorthPort will now look to put together a streak, although it won’t be easy as it’s set for a collision course with Magnolia next Thursday at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Tony Bishop led Meralco with 34 points and 16 rebounds in their first loss after starting the conference with four straight wins.
Chris Banchero finished with 23 points on 52-percent shooting, on top of four assists and two boards. Allein Maliksi added 14 markers.
The Bolts will hope to get back on track immediately as they lock horns with Rain or Shine this Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
The Scores:
Northport 109 – Artis 26, Bolick 22, Santos 16, Malonzo 14, Balanza 12, Rike 10, Sumang 9, Taha 0, Ferrer 0.
Meralco 98 – Bishop 34, Banchero 23, Maliksi 14, Newsome 7, Pasaol 6, Hodge 4, Quinto 3, Almazan 3, Hugnatan 2, Belo 0.
Quarterscores: 18-32, 47-50, 81-64, 109-98
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