The PBA Commissioner’s Cup continued on Saturday with a crucial twin bill that kept one team up in the standings and another sliding down. Here’s what happened:
NorthPort Handles Blackwater, Keeps Twice-to-Win Advantage in Sight
The NorthPort Batang Pier boosted its chances at getting a top two seed going to the playoffs as they handled the Blackwater Bossing a 120-93 dismantling.
Kadeem Jack led the usual suspects for NorthPort, firing a game-high 30 points. Joshua Munzon added 21, while Arvin Tolentino posted the second triple-double of his career with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Allyn Bulanadi and Paolo Taha chipped in 12 apiece.
Justin Chua played under the weather but still put up 15 points and 8 boards. RK Ilagan added 11 for the Bossing, who again played minus the injured George King.
With the win, NorthPort will end the elims at 9-3, but its final seeding remains up in the air. Blackwater ends its campaign at 3-9.
The scores:
NorthPort (120) – Jack 30, Munzon 21, Tolentino 14, Bulanadi 12, Taha 12, Nelle 7, Navarro 7, Cuntapay 5, Flores 4, Yu 2, Onwubere 2, Tratter 2, Miranda 2
Blackwater (93) – Chua 15, Ilagan11, Tungcab 9, Escoto 9, Jopia 8, Corteza 8, Kwekuteye 7, Ayonayon 6, Guinto 5, David 5, Mitchell 4, Casio 3, Ponferrada 3
NLEX Frustrates Rain or Shine, Stays in Quarters Hunt
Robert Bolick exploded for a conference-high 40 markers to lead the NLEX Road Warriors to a 122-110 triumph over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Import Mike Watkins was again productive NLEX, dropping 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks despite being plagued with foul trouble. As with their win against the Phoenix Fuel Masters previously, Bolick and Watkins got plenty of help again, with Anthony Semerad adding 17, Xyrus Torres chipping in 12, and Kevin Alas and Jayvee Mocon putting up 11 and 10, respectively.
Deon Thompson had 26 points and Jhonard Clarito added 20 for the Elasto Painters, who now have dropped back-to-back games.
With the win, NLEX is now at eighth spot. Rain or Shine, on the other hand, slid to seventh.
Up next:
NLEX vs. Hong Kong Eastern on January 29 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Rain or Shine vs. TNT Tropang Giga on January 31 (PhilSports Arena)
The Scores:
NLEX (122) – Bolick 40, Watkins 25, Semerad 17, Torres 12, Alas 11, Mocon 10, Policarpio 4, Ramirez 3
Rain or Shine 110 –Thompson 26, Clarito 20, Nocum 16, Santillan 12, Datu 10, Caracut 8, Tiongson 4, Belga 4, Ildefonso 4, Lemetti 6
PBA Commissioner’s Cup: Next on Tap
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup will continue later today at the Ynares Center with another explosive and crucial double-header: Magnolia Hotshots versus Hong Kong Eastern and San Miguel Beermen versus TNT Tropang Giga.
