Kadeem Jack of NorthPort delivers. PBA photo
Batang Pier strike back
AFTER an upset loss to Phoenix Super LPG last Tuesday, it’s back to business for NorthPort Batang Pier.
Kadeem Jack and Arvin Tolentino provided the clutch baskets as NorthPort brought down Hong Kong Eastern, 120-113, to assume the solo lead again in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Looking sharp following a shock 109-115 setback to Phoenix, the Bonnie Tan-mentored Batang Pier went full throttle to emerge with a league-best 6-1 win-loss record before the conference takes a much-needed holiday break after Christmas Day.
Jack, a 6-9 power forward from Queens; New York, finished with 38 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the field, nine rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks in almost 42 minutes of play.
Tolentino, one of the team’s most dependable scorers, added 35 points on 10-of-16 shooting, six rebounds and three assists in 41 minutes of action.
NorthPort also got 15 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals from Joshua Munzon and 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists from Will Navarro and nine points and nine assists of Fran Yu.
Chris McLaughlin tallied a double-double of 26 points, 19 rebounds and five assists in a losing effort for Eastern of coach Mensur Bajramovic.
Hayden Blankley added 24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and Kobey Lam contributed with 18 points, including 2-of-2 from the four-point territory, for Eastern, which dropped to 5-2.
Glen Yang chipped in with 13 points, eight assists and three rebounds.
“Basically, we just took advantage na they just came from a game sa Hong Kong kaya we outran them. Na-recover ulit namin transition points namin” said Tan in an interview.
Tolentino was also visibly satisfied with their performance.
“Always fun, kapag syempre kung dayo kalaban mo. Merong laging factor talaga yung gusto mong manalo and that’s what happened today,” said Tolentino. “I’m happy na maganda yun nilaro ko ngayon.”
NorthPort won’t see action again until Jan. 8, when it takes on Barangay Ginebra at the PhilSports Arena.
The 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.
Quarterscores: 27-32, 63-60, 90-87, 120-113.
