NORTHPORT played the spoilers’ role in NLEX’s bid to secure the top seed, pulling off a 113-108 win over the Road Warriors in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The also-ran Batang Pier went on a 40-22 charge in the third quarter then held on in a tense endgame to snap out of an eight-game losing steak and win for only the second time in their penultimate game of the conference.
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NorthPort’s win dampened NLEX’s quest for the No. 1 seed as the Road Warriors dropped to 8-3 (win-loss) at the close of its eliminations campaign, yielding the inside track on the top seeding to San Miguel Beer.
NLEX has already secured the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals even before the game.
Cade Flores scored 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting to highlight a double-double performance also spiked by 15 rebounds and two assists. Fran Yu added 21 points while Calvin Abueva added 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals.
Flores capped his career-best performance with an uncontested lay-up with 44 seconds left that doused a late NLEX rally. Yu then clinched the win with a lay-up of his own with 12.1 seconds left for a 112-108 lead.
NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar said the team never lost focus in their preparation even though they are already out of the running for a quarterfinal berth.
“Lagi naman nire-remind ng coaching staff especially coach Bonnie (Tan) to play hard every game. We are practicing hard kung paano namin ipapakita na gusto naming manalo sa ensayo. Plus, every practice, kumpleto kami,” said Bajar.
The final seconds took on a strange twist when Joshua Munzon was called for a technical foul for taking a free throw instead of Flores with 6.5 seconds left. But NLEX failed to take advantage with Robbie Herndon missing the technical free throw.
Flores closed the game by making a charity and settling the final score.
Herndon had 21 points and six rebounds, while Robert Bolick added 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists, but was no longer fielded in the final minutes of the game.
The scores:
NorthPort 113 – Flores 26, Yu 21, Abueva 19, Munzon 8, Nelle 7, Balanza 7, Onwubere 6, Bulanadi 6, Nava 5, Jalalon 3, Taha 3, Cuntapay 2, Kwekuteye 0.
NLEX 108 – Herndon 21, Bolick 16, Ramirez 16, Alas 12, Policarpio 12, Bahio 11, Torres 11, Valdez 9, Amer 0.
Quarters: 22-30; 46-54; 86-76; 113-108.
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