SEAN Anthony scored a putback with 15.8 seconds left in the game as NorthPort once again won without Stanley Pringle after beating NLEX, 83-79, on Saturday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Anthony finished with 17 points but none bigger than the basket he scored off a miss by Robert Bolick to lead his team to the victory.
NorthPort is now 2-0 and played without Pringle, who is still recovering after a surgery to remove bone spurs in his right ankle.
NLEX lost for the second time after missing Tony Mitchell, who is yet to be given the clearance to play due to incomplete documents.
“NLEX is a tough team. At the same time, coach Yeng is a tough coach. Mahirap din talaga talunin. It’s all about breaks of the game. I’ll take it. A win is a win,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio.
Bolick topscored for the Batang Pier with 18 points and pulled down six rebounds, while Prince Ibeh had a double-double after scoring 15 points and grabbing 19 rebounds.
NorthPort broke a 65-65 tie after a 6-0 run that was started by Bolick hitting a three. But NLEX responded with seven unanswered points to grab the lead.
It became a see-saw battle afterwards with Kenneth Ighalo tying the count at 79. After Anthony’s putback, NLEX failed to answer back with Marion Magat missing a three-point attempt.
The scores:
NorthPort 83 – Bolick 18, Anthony 17, Ibeh 15, Tautuaa 14, Taha 10, Elorde 6, Grey 3, Gabayni 0.
NLEX 79 – Ighalo 18, Erram 12, Galanza 11, Soyud 10, Fonacier 7, Tiongson 6, Paniamogan 5, Magat 4, Baguio 2, Paredes 2, Lao 2, Rios 0, Taulava 0, Tallo 0.
Quarters: 25-18; 43-35; 57-59; 83-79.
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