NorthPort vents ire on Eastern to solidify hold of top spot

Kadeem Jack and Arvin Tolentino proved to be a lethal duo as they steered the ship for NorthPort in pulling off a 120-113 win over Eastern in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the PhilSports Arena. 

The reinforcement poured in 38 points in an impressive 13-of-22 shooting from the field to go along with nine rebounds, three steals, two assists, and two blocks, while Tolentino registered 35 markers, six boards, and three dimes while also posting no turnovers throughout. 

The Batang Pier, who were coming off a 109-115 beating at the hands of Phoenix, now improved to 6-1 to remain at the top spot before heading to the much-needed holiday break. 

 "It's always fun kapag dayo 'yung kalaban mo or when you play outside the country, meron laging factor 'yung gusto mong manalo and that's what happened today," Tolentino said. 

"I'm happy na maganda 'yung nilaro ko ngayon. I just tried to be smart, every game naman 'yung approach ko."

Facing a weary Eastern side that was just coming off a 71-62 win over San Miguel in the East Asia Super League (EASL) last Wednesday, NorthPort knew it had the advantage as wards of head coach Bonnie Tan took control of the game right from the start. 

But the Hong Kong-based team retaliated with Hayden Blankley knocking down a jumper to cut the deficit to just four at 104-100 halfway through the fourth period. 

NorthPort, though, responded with a massive 12-5 rampage fueled by the steady free throw shooting from Jack, Tolentino, and guard Fran Yu as they took a comfortable 116-105 cushion in the final 58 seconds. 

Eastern still tried to mount a comeback with Kobey Lam hitting two four-point shots down the stretch to trim their disadvantage to five, 118-113, with only five ticks left. 

But Yu made sure to seal it as he sank two charities to help NorthPort rack up its sixth win in seven outings. 

Joshua Munzon and William Navarro posted 15 and 10 points apiece while Yu flirted with a double-double with his nine markers and nine assists. 

Chris McLaughlin led the charge for Eastern with 26 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, and one block while Blankley chipped in 24 markers, 10 boards, four dimes, and two blocks as they slipped to 5-2. 

Scores:

NorthPort 120 – Jack 38, Tolentino 35, Munzon 15, Navarro 10, Yu 9, Nelle 5, Flores 4, Onwubere 4, Bulanadi 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0.

Eastern 113 – McLaughlin 26, Blankley 24, Lam 18, Yang 13, Guinchard 9, Chan 7, Xu 6, Cheung 4, Leung 3, Zhu 3, Pok 0.

Quarters: 27-32, 63-60, 90-87, 120-113.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News