NORTHPORT battled back from the depth of an 18-point deficit to frustrate Converge in overtime.112-104, for its first win in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Batang Pier leaned on Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon, William Navarro, and Cade Flores to outscore the FiberXers in the extra period, 16-8, and clinch the comeback win.
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Tolentino finished with a near-triple double of 31 points, eight rebounds and a career-high 11 assists to pace the Batang Pier, who lost to NLEX in overtime two days ago, 107-100.
It was a heartbreaking second straight loss for Converge, which led by as many as 68-50 in the third quarter.
"The players just did not give up kahit na medyo malaki yung lamang ng Converge," said Northport coach Bonnie Tan. "Collective effort lang lalo na sa team defense, nag-step up kami sa defense namin."
The Batang Pier forced the FiberXers to a franchise-worst 31 turnovers, including a career-high eight by big man Justin Arana.
It was Converge's maze of turnovers in the final quarter which helped Northport turn the game around and eventually take the lead, 91-86, with 3:03 left in regulation.
Alec Stockton, who finished with a career-high 27 points, hit a three pointer with 10 seconds left to send the game into overtime, 96-96, as Tolentino missed on a potential game-winning basket at the buzzer.
The Batang Pier then opened the extra period by scoring six straight points, capped by a William Navarro slam on the transition to take control of the game for good.
Munzon finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and career-best six steals, Navarro added 16 points and 11 rebounds, while rookie Cade Flores also had a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Arana had 16 of his 25 points scored in the first half, while adding 13 rebounds for Converge.
The scores:
Northport (112) - Tolentino 31, Munzon 17, Navarro 16, Flores 14, Bulanadi 8, Yu 8, Calma 7, Zamar 5, Paraiso 3, Adamos 2, Taha 1, Rosales 0, Lucero 0, Chan 0.
Converge (104) - Stockton 27, Arana 24, Santos 11, Nieto 6, Ambohot 6, Wintston 5, Fornilos 5, Caralipio 4, Zaldivar 3, Melecio 3, Delos 2, Fleming 2, Maagdenberg 2, Balanza 2.
Quarterscores: 19-26; 42-53; 65-80; 96-96 (reg); 112-104.
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