Sean Anthony, NorthPort sink all-Filipino NLEX for 2-0 start

Sean Anthony came up big in the clutch, helping the NorthPort Batang Pier escape an all-Filipino NLEX Road Warriors, 83-79, for their second win in a row in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Anthony cleaned up Robert Bolick’s missed jumper to give NorthPort an 81-79 lead with 15.8 seconds left to play. He later sank his freebies with 1.6 ticks left to finish NLEX, who actually led by 11 late in the second quarter.

The 6-foot-4 utility forward finished with 17 points and six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

“That NLEX team is a tough team. And at the same time, coach Yeng [Guiao] is a tough coach. Mahirap talaga talunin yang mga yan. But it was all about the breaks of the game,” said Batang Pier head coach Pido Jarencio.

Bolick top-billed for NorthPort with 18 points and six rebounds as well. Mo Tautuaa produced a near-double-double of 14 points and nine rebounds and also added three assists. Paolo Taha chimed in 10 markers and five boards.

Import Prince Ibeh made 15 points, 19 rebounds, and six blocks in the win.

But as happy as they are with their good start to the mid-season joust, Jarencio wasn’t too happy with the way the Batang Pier shot their free throws. NorthPort shot just 44 percent from the line, with Ibeh going 1-of-12.

“Bukas na bukas, start ng practice namin free throws.”

Stanley Pringle and Bradwyn Guinto missed their second straight game, as both are still recovering from foot surgeries.

Kenneth Ighalo had 18 points to lead NLEX, who had to play with an all-local crew. Meanwhile, import Tony Mitchell’s return stalled yet again after he failed to secure clearance from the Games and Amusement Board.

Poy Erram had 12 points and nine boards, while Bong Galanza and Raul Soyud had 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Road Warriors had one last shot to win the game with about three seconds left, but Marion Magat’s three from the right wing went way off the mark. And Anthony was there underneath to prevent an offensive board.

Both NorthPort and NLEX will play their next games on May 29, Wednesday, at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Batang Pier will first meet the TNT KaTropa at 4:30 PM. Meanwhile, the Road Warriors will battle the Alaska Aces at 7:00 PM.

The Scores:

NorthPort 83 – Bolick 18, Anthony 17, Ibeh 15, Tautuaa 14, Taha 10, Elorde 6, Grey 3, Lanete 0, Gabayni 0.

NLEX 79 – Ighalo 18, Soyud 12, Galanza 11, Erram 10, Fonacier 7, Tiongson 6, Paniamogan 5, Magat 4, Paredes 2, Baguio 2, Lao 2, Taulava 0, Rios 0, Tallo 0.

Quarterscores: 18-25, 35-43, 59-57, 83-79.