NORTHPORT relied on the trio of Robert Bolick, Jamel Artis and Arwind Santos to roll back Blackwater, 116-103, and keep its playoff hopes alive in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bolick celebrated his return to the Batang Pier line-up by finishing with a team-high 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and leading the team to its fourth straight win after a 0-5 start.

Artis added 26 points and nine rebounds and Santos contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Pido Jarencio- mentored Batang Pier.

“Everybody stepped up, especially the first group. Everybody wants to win. From 0-5, we worked hard for these four straight wins,” said Jarencio.

“But of course, may mga exceptional players. Robert coming back, Artis steady, Arwind consistent.”

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer hopes to recover lost ground when it takes on unpredictable Rain or Shine at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The Beermen and new import Shabazz Muhammad are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 87-104 setback to Magnolia and get back on the winning track as the elimination round of this import-flavored conference enters its crucial stage.

A win by the Beermen will enable them to improve to 6-4 and stay in the hunt for a Top Four finish and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

The Elasto Painters, on the other hand, are hoping to end a three-game losing skid that put them deep in trouble at 3-6.

The Elasto Painters must now sweep their two remaining games for a shot at a quarters entry.

An interesting sidelight in the game is the battle between two NBA veterans: Muhammad of San Miguel and Henry Walker of Rain or Shine.

In the 3 p.m. curtainraiser, Alaska Milk and Phoenix Super LPG collide.

The scores:

NorthPort (116) – Bolick 30, Artis 26, Santos 21, Malonzo 16, Balanza 10, Taha 9, Rike 2, Doliguez 2,Ferrer 0.
Blackwater (103) – Glover 47, Desiderio 17, Casio 13, McCarthy 11, Paras 6, Amer 5, Melton 3, Ebona 1, Washington 0, Suerte 0, Escoto 0, Ayonayon 0, Baloria 0.
Quartersores: 35-28, 66-54, 95-75, 116-103.

Games Thursday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. — Alaska vs. Phoenix
6 p.m. — San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine