NORTHPORT went to the hot hands of William Navarro to demolish Terrafirma, 112-93, and barge into the win column of the PBA Season 49 Governors Cup on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Navarro scored a career-high 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field and led a second-half breakaway by the Batang Pier in their first game since Venky Jois replaced Taylor Johns as their import.
Dyip sent crashing
A three pointer by Navarro gave Northport its largest lead of the game at 25 points, sending the Dyip reeling to a second blowout loss after 32-point setback against Converge in its debut game.
The Batang Pier now carry an even 1-1 slate in Group A as they bounced back from a tight 101-95 loss to TNT last Tuesday.
“I’m just confident. I know my shots are going to come in. It’s not surprising for me,” said Navarro, playing in his third season with Northport.
“Obviously, when I play more, which coach gave me the opportunity, I’m going to deliver.”
Navarro added five rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes of play.
Back for a second tour of duty with the Batang Pier, Jois delivered a double-double of 16 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, Joshua Munzon added 14 points, and main man Arvin Tolentino had a quiet double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Navarro had his highlight play when he went for a one-handed slam off a transition following a bullet-pass from Tolentino at the height of a huge Northport run in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore guard Fran Yu also had his moments when he scored seven straight points, including a shot from half court for an automatic 4-point shot to beat the third quarter buzzer and gave Northport an 85-70 lead.
Juami Tiongson had 19 points and Stanley Pringle with an all-around game of 17 points 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a losing cause for Terrafirma.
Christian Standhardinger could only muster a 10-point, eight-rebound job in his second game with the Dyip since being traded by Barangay Ginebra in the off season.
The scores
Northport (112) -- Navarro 31, Jois 16, Munzon 14, Tolentino 10, Amores 8, Jalalon 8, Yu 7, Nelle 6, Tratter 5, Cuntapay 3, Bulanadi 2, Flores 2, Taha 0.
Terrafirma (93) -- Tiongson 19, Pringle 17, Hester 13, Ferrer 13, Standhardinger 10, Carino 9, Cahilig 5, Hernandez 5, Ramos 2, Olivario 0.
Quarterscores: 30-20; 51-43; 85-70; 112-93.
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