MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort is on a mission to prove that it belongs.
And the Batang Pier took a big step towards that goal as they reached the semifinals for the first time in over five years after a gritty 113-110 win over Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, February 6.
Import Kadeem Jack and Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Arvin Tolentino showed the way for top seed and twice-to-beat NorthPort, which survived a late Hotshots comeback to make the final four for just the third time in franchise history and the first since the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
“We have chip on our shoulder. People don’t even talk about NorthPort even if we’re No. 1,” said William Navarro. “We’re the underdogs no matter what happens. So we’re not satisfied here. We want more.”
Jack finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 blocks, and 3 assists, while Tolentino produced 25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in a balanced effort that saw four more Batang Pier players score in double figures.
NorthPort needed every single bucket to fend off Magnolia, which came back from a 12-point hole with under five minutes remaining behind Paul Lee.
Lee drained two four-pointers and a pair of free throws in a 17-6 run that allowed the Hotshots to cut a 91-103 deficit to 108-109.
Fortunately for the Batang Pier, Tolentino gave them ample separation with a tough bucket with 46 seconds to play before free throws by Fran Yu and Allyn Bulanadi sealed the win.
Bulanadi rose to the occasion by scattering 9 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, Navarro provided stability with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Evan Nelle and Cade Flores chimed in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Flores found time for 9 rebounds for NorthPort, which will face either Barangay Ginebra or Meralco in a best-of-seven semifinals.
The Gin Kings lead 1-0 against the Bolts in their best-of-three quarterfinals.
Barroca paced Magnolia with a double-double of 26 points and 10 assists, while import Ricardo Ratliffe posted 22 points, 19 rebounds, and 4 assists in a disappointing end to his third stint with the Hotshots.
Ratliffe and Magnolia also exited the quarterfinals of the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup then got the boot from the semifinals of the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup.
Lee fired 22 points in the loss as the Hotshots failed to advance to the semifinals for the third straight conference.
The Scores
NorthPort 113 – Jack 30, Tolentino 25, Navarro 15, Nelle 12, Bulanadi 12, Flores 10, Munzon 5, Yu 4, Tratter 0, Taha 0
Magnolia 110– Barroca 26, Ratliffe 22, Lee 22, Lucero 13, Sangalang 7, Dionisio 6, Abueva 6, Lastimosa 4, Dela Rosa 4, Alfaro 0, Ahanmisi 0.
Quarters: 25-32, 47-61, 83-76, 113-110.
– Rappler.com