NorthPort stays hot, sends TNT to 0-2 start

Sizzling NorthPort preserved its winning streak in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup after eking out a narrow 100-95 win over TNT on Sunday in Ynares Center in Antipolo City. 

The Batang Pier, who were coming off huge wins over NLEX, Terrafirma, and Magnolia, improved to 4-0 while the Tropang Giga remained winless at 0-2. 

Kadeem Jack poured in a double-double outing for the red-hot NorthPort by unleashing 27 points and 11 rebounds, alongside three blocks, while Joshua Munzon led the local support with 20 markers, three boards, four steals, and two assists. 

"Still, defense wins this game. We know naman na TNT has a lot of threats in their offense, but luckily, we stopped their import in the second half and plus factor doon 'yung defense ni Will Navarro, Munzon, and even Sidney Onwubere," NorthPort assistant coach  Rensy Bajar said. 

"Ayon, we give credit sa players because they played hard, especially this second half."

Munzon came alive in the crucial fourth quarter, sinking a layup that would give NorthPort a solitary lead at 93-92 before TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson completed two free throws to regain the lead. 

Evan Nelle and Will Navarro then answered with a basket each before Munzon buried a huge three-pointer to send NorthPort to a comfortable 100-95 cushion with still 1:28 to go. 

TNT still had enough window to come back, but two consecutive turnovers proved costly for the Tropang Giga as the Batang Pier completed yet another victory. 

Tolentino fired blanks from beyond the arc but chipped in 17 points laced with 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks while Navarro posted 12 markers, nine boards, and three dimes. 

Scores:

NorthPort 100 -Jack 27, Munzon 20, Tolentino 17, Navarro 12, Nelle 8, Yu 6, Onwubere 4, Cuntapay 3, Bulanadi 3, Flores 0, Miranda 0.

TNT 95 – Oftana 20, Hollis-Jefferson 19, Pogoy 17, Khobuntin 14, Galinato 10, Nambatac 9, Aurin 4, Razon 2, Heruela 0, Exciminiano 0, Ebona 0.

Quarters: 26-22, 45-52, 72-73, 100-95.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News