NorthPort fends off Magnolia, goes 3-0 in PBA Commissioner's Cup

NorthPort extended its winning streak to three after holding off Magnolia, 107-103, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Batang Pier had its biggest lead at 94-81 past the halfway mark of the fourth period but the Hotshots made a 9-0 run to inch closer with 3:12 left. Arvin Tolentino stopped the run but a triple from Jerom Lastimosa and a basket from Joseph Eriobu put the Hotshots within one, 96-95, with 1:46 left.

Joshua Munzon then hit timely baskets as he made a four-pointer followed by a jumper to give NorthPort a 102-95 lead. Arvin Tolentino's freebies further widened the lead for NorthPort before 8-1 rally to trail 105-103. Eventually, Fran Yu's free throws off a Mark Barroca foul sealed the Batang Pier's third straight win.

NorthPort import Kadeem Jack had 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Tolentino and Munzon had 27 and 25 points, respectively for the streaking Batang Pier.

Lastimosa, just in his third game in his pro career, had 27 points, eight boards, and two steals but the Hotshots were dealt their second straight loss and slipped to 1-2.

Scores:

NorthPort 107 – Jack 30, Tolentino 27, Munzon 25, Yu 9, Nelle 5, Navarro 4, Flores 4, Onwubere 3, Bulanadi 0, Tratter 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0.

Magnolia 103 – Lastimosa 27, Dela Rosa 16, Dionisio 13, Ratliffe 10, Eriobu 7, Sanaglang 6, Lucero 4, Ahanmisi 3, Abueva 3, Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 28-31, 59-52, 77-78, 107-103.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News