Northport sinks NLEX for 2-0 start
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2019 12:25:49 +0000
NORTHPORT defeated Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX), 95-90, on Sunday to post its second win in Season 44 of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Proving its 117-91 opening victory over Blackwater last week wasn’t a fluke, the Batang Pier played steady as it joined Phoenix on top of the team standings with a 2-0 win-loss record.
Do-it-all forward Sean Anthony provided Batang Pier with an all-around performance of 22 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and five assists, while Moala Tautuaa tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds and a block.
“We got the momentum in the second half and actually we were controlling the game. It was a total team effort as we also played good defense,” said Northport coach Pido Jarencio.
“It is still a long way to go but at least we beat a solid team NLEX. It was a good morale-booster,” said Jarencio.
The Batang Pier led early in the payoff period, 79-73, before the Road Warriors cut it to 85-86, behind Kevin Alas’ lay-up down the last 4:02.
Robert Bolick and Paolo Taha responded with huge baskets, while Anthony made crucial stops down the stretch to secure the win.
Bolick, after debuting with 26 points against the Elite, piled up 14 while Stanley Pringle had 11. Paolo Taha and Nico Elorde finished with nine and eight points, respectively, for the Batang Pier.
NLEX drew a solid game from JP Erram with 19 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while JR Quinahan scored 18 points as the Road Warriors remain winless.
Scores:
NorthPort 95 – Anthony 22, Tautuaa 18, Bolick 14, Pringle 11, Taha 9, Elorde 8, Arana 4, Guinto 3, Flores 2, Lanete 2, Grey 2, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.
NLEX 90 – Erram 19, Quinahan 18, Galanza 11, Paniamogan 10, Magat 8, Tallo 7, Fonacier 5, Baguio 4, Ighalo 2, Alas 2, Soyud 2, Porter 2, Taulava 0, Rios 0.
Quarters: 25-22, 48-46, 71-70, 95-90.
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