NORTHPORT got back to its winning ways upon Venky Jois and William Navarro's return, outclassing Terrafirma, 133-107, on Sunday in the PBA 49th Season Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Batang Pier raced to a 33-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back as they snapped a two-game slump and improved to 3-3 (win-loss).
Spearheading the attack were Jois and Navarro, who missed NorthPort's last game against Magnolia due to ankle sprains. Jois had 26 points and 15 rebounds while Navarro had 18 points and six rebounds in their return.
It was Arvin Tolentino, however, who ran the show for the rejuvenated Batang Pier with a triple double of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against Terrafirma, which remained winless in six games.
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“We lost two consecutive games against Meralco and Magnolia so kinausap kami ng coaching staff especially si coach Bonnie [Tan] on how to handle the last two losses,” said NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar.
"Hiningi lang namin for today’s game is ‘yung energy na from the start, makita namin ‘yung willingness to defend especially against Terrafirma. Madepensahan lang namin sila ng maayos and we control the boards, which is nangyari ngayon,” added Bajar, pointing to the team's 57-45 rebounding advantage over the Dyip.
Jois had 10 points in the second quarter as the Batang Pier raced to a 62-41 halftime advantage. NorthPort even led by as many as 28 points, 69-41, after going on a 7-0 run to start the third quarter.
Christian Standhardinger finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while rookie Didat Hanapi had 20 points and shot 7-of-14 from the field for the hapless Dyip.
The scores:
NorthPort 133 – Jois 26, Tolentino 23, Navarro 18, Flores 15, Jalalon 12, Amores 8, Onwubere 7, Munzon 6, Taha 6, Yu 5, Nelle 3, Tratter 2, Bulanadi 2, Cuntapay 0.
Terrafirma 107 – Standhardinger 22, Hanapi 20, Ferrer 14, Sangalang 14, Hester 12, Pringle 10, Hernandez 5, Ramos 5, Cahilig 5, Olivario 0.
Quarters: 33-11; 62-41; 96-75; 133-107.
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