NORTHPORT, playing with a sense of urgency, finally claimed a victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, nipping Barangay Ginebra, 108-103, on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Kadeem Jack had 39 points including a turnaround jumper with 19.3 seconds left to give the Batang Pier a three-point lead, 106-103, and weather the storm for the Batang Pier after a late rally by the Gin Kings got them to within one.
Stephen Holt missed a game-tying triple on the next possession, with Arvin Tolentino sinking two free throws to pad the cushion to five.
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With the win, NorthPort lived to fight another day, averting a sweep and forcing a Game 5 on Friday at the Big Dome.
“Siguro ‘yung No. 1 na pinoint out ni coach Bonnie (Tan) for the past three games is ‘yung energy and aggressiveness namin on defense. Ngayon, wala kaming masabi sa pinakita ng mga players especially ‘yung first part of the game na nandoon ‘yung pressure defense from the backcourt hanggang sa frontcourt ng Ginebra,” said NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar.
Jack also grabbed 15 rebounds, while Tolentino had a near triple double as he also had nine rebounds, 11 assists, and four steals.
William Navarro and Joshua Munzon had 16 and 14 points apiece, while Paolo Taha was a revelation by scoring 11 points and three steals in a starting role.
The Batang Pier built a 63-52 third quarter lead, the biggest of the match. They equaled it in the 4:08 mark of the fourth when Jack scored a fadeaway shot for a 104-93 lead.
Barangay Ginebra fought back and scored 10 unanswered points with Brownlee on the bench, capped by a three-pointer by Holt with 36.8 seconds left before Jack responded with that turnaround shot.
Brownlee had 18 points and seven rebounds, while RJ Abarrientos also added 18 points, and Troy Rosario finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The scores:
NorthPort 108 – Jack 39, Tolentino 20, Navarro 16, Munzon 14, Taha 11, Nelle 3, Bulanadi 3, Miranda 2, Onwubere 0.
Barangay Ginebra 103 – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Holt 15, Malonzo 12, Thompson 11, J. Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 2, Cu 0, Gray 0.
Quarters: 21-22; 54-50; 84-74; 108-103.
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