In a battle between two unbeaten squads, the duo of Stanley Pringle and Robert Bolick made sure that the NorthPort Batang Pier kept their slate unblemished, gunning down the TNT KaTropa, 110-86, for their third straight win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday evening at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Pringle sat out in his team’s first two games while he recovered from the removal of bone spurs in his foot. In the game, he led NorthPort’s 21-0 pull-away that turned a 65-62 third quarter deficit to an 83-65 lead early in the fourth chapter.
His new backcourt partner Bolick was not to be outdone. Bolick seemed inspired with Pringle’s return, as he scored 13 in the final quarter alone, including 11 straight points that put the game further out of the KaTropa’s reach.
Pringle finished with 22 points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Bolick had 21 markers.
“Ganda pa ng balik ni Stanley,” lauded Batang Pier head coach Pido Jarencio. “We almost played a perfect game, at ang gandang start, three-zero. Tinalo pa namin isa sa mga contender. It was all team effort. Happy ako.”
Prince Ibeh finished with 18 points, 20 rebounds, and three blocks in the win. Sean Anthony had 12 points, five boards, and five assists. Garvo Lanete supplied 12 points, while Mo Tautuaa chimed in 11 markers, eight caroms, and six dimes.
But Jarencio is most satisfied with his wards’ defense, especially with TNT import Terrence Jones.
The NBA veteran averaged 42.0 points prior to Wednesday’s bout, but the Batang Pier limited him to just 17 points, alongside 14 rebounds. It also didn’t help that he committed six errors and incurred four personal fouls.
“Grabe depensa namin on Terrence Jones. Sina Sean, Mo, nagpapalitan sila eh. Finu-frustrate nila yung high-scoring import,” said Jarencio. “Ang mindset talaga namin is to play good defense on Terrence Jones, and the rest will follow.”
Troy Rosario had 22 points and eight rebounds to top-bill for TNT, who have fallen to 2-1. Roger Pogoy added 19.
NorthPort will look to make it four straight versus defending champs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Saturday, June 1. Meanwhile, TNT will look to bounce back versus the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters on Sunday, June 2. Both games are still at the MoA Arena.
The Scores:
NorthPort 110 – Pringle 22, Bolick 21, Ibeh 18, Anthony 13, Lanete 12, Tautuaa 11, Elorde 9, Grey 2, Gabayni 2, Flores 0, Taha 0, Arana 0.
TNT 86 – Rosario 22, Pogoy 19, Jones 17, Castro 10, Heruela 5, Taha 4, Trollano 4, Semerad 3, Reyes 2, Williams 0, Golla 0, Miranda 0, Casino 0.
Quarterscores: 25-28, 43-44, 77-65, 110-86.
