The NorthPort Batang Pier made their long-due return to the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup with a 98-73 blowout win over the hapless Blackwater Bossing at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Thursday, September 9.
With the win, the well-rested Batang Pier snapped a two-game losing streak, and rose to 2-3 in the standings.
Meanwhile the Bossing, now with a 0-8 record after playing without key cogs Baser Amer and Kelly Nabong, continued their miserable run with their 16th straight loss dating back to last season.
NorthPort star guard Robert Bolick did not show any signs of rust in his Pampanga debut, and flirted with a triple-double off 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists on 6-of-9 shooting.
Fellow young star Jamie Malonzo likewise chipped in 17 markers plus game-highs of 12 boards and 2 blocks, while veteran big man Greg Slaughter completed the team’s third double-double with 12 points and 11 boards with 2 rejections as well.
Off a small 44-47 lead at the start of the third quarter, Blackwater again had another hard second-half collapse as NorthPort mounted a massive 28-5 run capped by a Malonzo free throw for a 26-point lead, 75-49, at the 1:18 mark.
Unlike the league’s past few comeback games, however, there was no massive rally in sight in this one as the Batang Pier just peaked with a 33-point gap, 95-62, off three Garvo Lanete free throws with 3:12 left in regulation.
Interim head coach and current team manager Bonnie Tan celebrated his birthday on a good note, and gave all praises to the players who had to practice and move on without the team’s quarantined coaching staff led by Pido Jarencio.
“I really saw how the team stayed positive while being coachless. I give credit to our leaders like Sean Anthony and Kevin Ferrer who took charge on behalf of the coaches,” the reigning NCAA champion coach said in the postgame presser.
“Robert Bolick is there, and our seniors like Greg, who are really mature and are professional players.”
Without Nabong and Amer, Frank Golla paced another forgettable loss with team-highs of 14 points and 7 rebounds in just 21 minutes off the bench. Simon Enciso limped to an 8-point finish in 41 minutes while Ed Daquioag added 7 markers on a poor 1-of-12 clip.
Now back in business after a week off due to health protocols, NorthPort can start a winning streak on Saturday, September 11, with a 2 pm match against the Terrafirma Dyip on the first day of a back-to-back slate.
Blackwater will feature in the 4:35 pm main event that same day against dark horse squad Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
The Scores
NorthPort 98 – Bolick 17, Malonzo 17, Ferrer 14, Slaughter 12, Anthony 9, Lanete 8, Onwubere 8, Taha 7, Balanza 2, Grey 2, Faundo 1, Subido 0, Doliguez 0, Elorde 0.
Blackwater 73 – Golla 14, Escoto 10, Cruz 9, Desiderio 8, Enciso 8, Daquioag 7, Torralba 7, Magat 5, Tolomia 5, Paras 0, Dennison 0, Canaleta 0.
Quarters: 25-20, 45-40, 75-53, 98-73.
– Rappler.com
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