PBA: NorthPort fends off NLEX for second win in a row

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATED) The NorthPort Batang Pier showed off their composure down the stretch in holding off the NLEX Road Warriors, 95-90, in their 2019 PBA Philippine Cup showdown Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Batang Pier improved to 2-0 in the conference, tying the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the top of the league standings.

NLEX, meanwhile, suffered its second straight loss.

Sean Anthony shone for NorthPort, putting up 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7 steals, and 5 assists. Moala Tautuaa had 18 points and 11 boards, while rookie Robert Bolick fired 14 markers. Stanley Pringle had 11 points and 6 assists.

"Two-zero (record), ang layo pa. Pero kahit papaano, isang NLEX team, matibay-tibay na team, tinalo natin," beamed NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio said after the game.

"This would be a morale booster for the team, sa mga players, sa coaching staff, sa lahat," he added.

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In a back-and-forth game that featured 12 deadlocks and 12 lead changes, the Batang Pier proved to have the stronger finishing kick in the end game.

Pringle gave them a much-needed cushion, 75-70, with back-to-back buckets to open the fourth frame and that proved to be crucial as the Batang Pier fended off NLEX's repeated comeback attempts in crunch time.

The Road Warriors came to within one point, 86-85, after Kevin Alas scored off a Poy Erram dime with 4:02 to play. But NorthPort responded with a booming three-pointer from Bolick, and after Erram scored on the other end, Pringle found Paolo Taha for a long jumper that made it 91-87 with 2:32 to go.

"Total team effort," said Jarencio. "Players were making shots."

NLEX still had their chances, especially after Tautuaa was called for a goaltend that awarded Larry Fonacier with a bucket at the 1:46 mark, making it a one-possession game, 92-89. But Tautuaa made up for his blunder quickly, scoring on a hook shot on the other end for a 94-89 advantage. From there, NorthPort clamped down on defense: Anthony stripped Erram on a post-up, and they pressured Philip Paniamogan into an unforced turnover with 46 seconds left.

Anthony iced the game at the line, splitting his free throws with 15 seconds left.

"Breaks of the game lang," said Jarencio. "We're controlling the game, and then in the second half, we played good defense."

NLEX still shot 41.5% from the field but NorthPort was better, making 45.6% of their attempts. The Batang Pier also scored 24 points off NLEX's 23 turnovers.

Erram had 19 points and 7 rebounds for NLEX, though he committed 6 turnovers and fouled out in the final minute. JR Quinahan scored 18 points, but Alas had a brutal shooting night, going 1-of-11 from the field for 2 points though he did have 7 assists.

The scores:

NorthPort 95 - Anthony 22, Tautuaa 18, Bolick 14, Pringle 11, Taha 9, Elorde 8, Arana 4, Guinto 3, Flores 2, Lanete 2, Grey 2, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.

NLEX 90 - Erram 19, Quinahan 18, Galanza 11, Paniamogan 10, Magat 8, Tallo 7, Fonacier 5, Baguio 4, Ighalo 2, Alas 2, Soyud 2, Porter 2, Taulava 0, Rios 0.

Quarter scores: 25-22, 48-46, 71-70, 95-90

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