NorthPort topples Meralco
Game Today (Quezon Convention Center, Lucena) 5 p.m. – Ginebra vs Rain or Shine
The third time was a charm for the NorthPort Batang Pier last night after avoiding another meltdown to beat the Meralco Bolts, 99-94, that kept their slim quarterfinal hopes in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony hit two big threes in the final minute that kept the Batang Pier in safe territory after their 12-point lead in the third quarter was reduced to two twice in the fourth to seal a second straight win after a 0-6 start.
“At least back-to-back wins,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio. “Baka makahabol pa tayo sa last habol pa three games.”
NorthPort faces Rain or Shine (Oct. 17) and San Miguel Beer (Oct. 24) at the Cuneta Astrodome before wrapping up the elims against Alaska (Oct. 28) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Anthony produced 26 points, Pringle had 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while import Rashad Woods redeemed himself from a scoreless first half to finish with 20 points. Their productions enabled the Batang Pier to score a victory after the Bolts made repeat attempts at erasing a 73-61 deficit during the third.
Meralco had pulled within 90-88 on two free throws by Chris Newsome with two minutes left. But Mo Tautuaa hit a pair of charities before Pringle knocked down an elbow three, 57.6 left, for a 95-88 NorthPort lead.
Bolts guard Mike Tolomia nailed a triple to give Meralco some life but Anthony responded with a trey from the right side with 24 seconds remaining that made it 98-91 for NorthPort.
Jarencio was glad to see the Batang Pier escape the jaws of defeats after losing big leads in losses to the Blackwater Elite and TNT KaTropa earlier in the conference. “The breaks went our way in the last 2-3 minutes,” Jarencio said.
Reigning Best Import Allen Durham had 37 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists but the Bolts suffered their sixth straight loss to fall at 1-6, their chances at making the quarterfinals in jeopardy.
Meralco had reached the finals the last two Governors’ Cup, losing both times to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. That streak could come to a halt. NORTHPORT 99 – Anthony 26, Pringle 24, Woods 20, Tautuaa 14, Elorde 4, Arana 4, Espinas 2, Gabayni 2, Javelona 2, Taha 1, Fortuna 0, Guinto 0, Grey 0. MERALCO 94 – Durham 37, Tolomia 18, Newsome 13, Hodge 12, Hugnatan 5, Salva 4, Canaleta 3, Caram 2, Lanete 0, Amer 0, Ballesteros 0, Atkins 0, Jamito 0. Quarters: 22-21, 46-41, 74-69, 99-94.