ANTIPOLO – Northport remained undefeated in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup as it dealt TNT a second straight loss, 100-95, on Sunday night at the Ynares Center.
Joshua Munzon accounted for five of the Batang Pier’s last nine points, including a clutch three that gave them a 100-95 lead and left the error-prone Tropang Giga on the ropes with 1:26 remaining.
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Munzon finished with 20 points and four steals in a franchise best fourth straight win that kept the giant-killers all alone at the top of the leaderboard.
The Tropang Giga, who just won the Governors’ Cup championship last month, fell to a 0-2 start this conference while playing without suspended big man Poy Erram.
“I just take that shot with confidence,” said Munzon of the huge three-pointer he made in the stretch run. “The play wasn’t even for me but [my teammates] found me. I was open and I was happy I made that shot.
"I’m confident about myself. Every time I shoot the ball, I think it’s going in.”
Import Kadeem Jack overcame early foul trouble to finish with 27 points and 11 rebounds in Northport’s second longest winning streak in franchise history.
Arvin Tolentino also submitted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists while William Navarro was the other player in double figures for the Batang Pier with 12 points.
Coming off a 105-84 loss to Eastern two days ago, TNT also missed the services of veterans Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams aside from Erram.
Import Rondae Hollis Jefferson tried to carry the load for the Tropang Giga with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. His two free throws with three minutes to go gave TNT its last taste of the lead at 94-93.
But rookie Evan Nelle scored on a drive to lead a short 7-2 exchange by the Batang Pier which Munzon eventually highlighted with a 3.
Calvin Oftana showed the way for TNT with 20 points while shooting 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Pogoy added 17 on a 3-of-7 showing from three-point range.
The scores:
Northport (100) - Jack 27, Munzon 20, Tolentino 17, Navarro 12, Nelle 8, Yu 6, Onwubere 4, Cuntapay 3, Bulanadi 3, Flores 0, Miranda 0.
TNT (95) - Oftana 20, Hollis-Jefferson 19, Pogoy 17, Khobuntin 14, Galinato 10, Nambatac 9, Aurin 4, Razon 2, Heruela 0, Exciminiano 0, Ebona 0.
Quarterscores: 26-22; 45-52; 72-73; 100-95.
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