MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort clamped down on high-scoring import Terrence Jones to cruise to a 110-86 blowout win over TNT in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, May 29. 

Jones, who averaged a whopping 40.7 points in his first two games for the erstwhile unbeaten KaTropa, was limited to 17 points and 14 rebounds against 6 turnovers as the Batang Pier remained spotless at 3-0.

NorthPort threw everything at Jones from double to triples teams, with import Prince Ibeh and Mo Tautuaa taking turns to guard the former NBA player and containing him to just 5 field goals in 17 shots.

It was not just on defense the Batang Pier thrived as 6 of their players breached double figures, led by the returning Stanley Pringle and Robert Bolick who both came off the bench and waxed hot.

Pringle, returning from a two-game hiatus to recover from a surgery that removed bone spurs from his foot, torched TNT with 22 points, while Bolick chalked up 21 points and 5 rebounds. 

Ibeh had 18 points, 20 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Sean Anthony chimed in 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, Tautuaa added 11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, while Garvo Lanete finished with 12 points in the win. 

The KaTropa were primed to extend their winning streak after leading 65-62 late in the 3rd quarter until NorthPort ended the period on a blistering 15-0 run to head into the final frame up 77-65. 

TNT never tasted the lead again, and even saw its deficit grow to as large as 26 points. 

Troy Rosario paced the KaTropa, who slipped to 2-1, with 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Roger Pogoy chipped in 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. 

The Scores

NorthPort 110 – Pringle 22, Bolick 21, Ibeh 18, Anthony 13, Lanete 12, Tautuaa 11, Elorde 9, Grey 2, Gabayni 2, Flores 0, Taha 0, Arana 0.

TNT 86 – Rosario 22, Pogoy 19, Jones 17, Castro 10, Heruela 5, Taha 4, Trollano 4, Semerad 3, Reyes 2, Williams 0, Golla 0, Miranda 0, Casino 0.

Quarters: 25-28, 43-44, 77-65, 110-86.

– Rappler.com