NorthPort Batang Pier’s Arvin Tolentino in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–NorthPort averted disaster on Friday night, turning back a hard-fighting Phoenix, 124-120, in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Batang Pier held off the conference-debuting Fuel Masters down the stretch behind the efforts of cornerstone Arvin Tolentino and rookie Fran Yu.
Cade Flores, another freshman, starred for most of the night, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds before maxing out his fouls in the triumphant stand that had the club improving to 2-1 in the standings.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup
Jason Perkins almost single-handedly brought Phoenix back from 14 points down, scoring 26 of his total 28 points in the second half.
Four more Fuel Master delivered at least 11 points before their offense conked out late.
READ: Cade Flores feels ‘disrespected’ after PBA All-Star RSJ snub
Up next for NorthPort is 1-2 Meralco in a match slated for Sunday. Phoenix, meanwhile, will try to tab its first win in the centerpiece showcase when it battles crowd darling Barangay Ginebra on the same day.
Northport vs Phoenix Scores
NORTHPORT 124 – Flores 21, Lucero 18, Munzon 17, Tolentino 15, Yu 13, Zazmar 11, Bulanadi 6, Calma 2, Rosales 2, Paraiso 2,8Adamos 0, Amores 0, Cuntapay 0.
PHOENIX 120 – Perkins 24, Tio 19, Jazul 15, Rivero 13, Tuffin 11, Manganti 9, Mocon 8, Soyud 4, Daves 4, Alejandro 3, Muyang 2, Garcia 2, Camacho 2, Lalata 0, Verano 0.
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Quarterscores: 35-25, 61-52, 90-80, 124-120.