The PBA Commissioner’s Cup double-header on Friday at the PhilSports Arena featured the two top teams in the standings battling it out for solo first place and two teams struggling after early wins. Let’s dive into the action:
NorthPort Tops Eastern to Gain Solo Lead
The NorthPort Batang Pier proved steadier in a battle of early leaders, fending off Hong Kong Eastern, 120-113, behind superb showings from import Kadeem Jack and Arvin Tolentino.
Jack and Tolentino connived to help NorthPort (6-1) outscore Eastern 36-28 in the second quarter to get the lead after falling behind 29-21 in the first. The Batang Pier never relinquished the lead from that point on, stopping every Eastern (5-2) rally, usually with Tolentino and Jack making the big plays.
Jack 38 points and 9 rebounds, while Tolentino added 35 markers and 6 caroms. The two shot a combined 23-for-38 from the field. Joshua Munzon and William Navarro had 15 and 10, respectively. Chris McLaughlin paced Eastern with 26 points and 19 rebounds. Hayden Blankley chipped in 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 dimes, while Kobey Lam scattered 18 markers.
Up next:
Eastern vs. San Miguel Beermen on December 22 (PhilSports Arena)
NorthPort vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on January 8 (PhilSports Arena)
The Scores:
- Northport (120) – Jack 38, Tolentino 35, Munzon 15, Navarro 10, Yu 9, Nelle 5, Flores 4, Onwubere 4
- Eastern (113) – McLaughlin 26, Blankley 24, Lam 18, Yang 13, Guinchard 9, Chan 7, Xu 6, Cheung 4, Leung 3, Zhu 3
Magnolia Survives NLEX in OT
It took extra time, but the Magnolia Hotshots got the job done, outlasting the NLEX Road Warriors, 99-95, in a virtual slugfest of a game.
Ricardo Ratliffe powered his way to a monstrous double-double of 38 points and 19 rebounds to help the Hotshots (2-4) snap a four-game losing streak. Zavier Lucero added 14 points—including a couple of huge transition buckets in overtime. Mark Barroca chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Jerom Lastimosa had 13.
Robert Bolick led NLEX (3-4) with 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists but committed 6 turnovers. Mike Watkins was limited to just 17 markers but hauled down 23 rebounds for the Road Warriors, who have now dropped three straight.
Up next:
Mgnolia vs. Ginebra on December 25 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
NLEX vs. Meralco Bolts on January 10 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
The Scores:
- Magnolia (99) – Ratliffe 38, Lucero 14, Lastimosa 13, Barroca 12, Balanza 6, Abueva 6, Mendoza 3, Dionisio 3, Dela Rosa 2, Sangalang 2
- NLEX (95) – Bolick 28, Herndon 18, Watkins 17, Alas 11, Torres 8, Mocon 6, Semerad 5, Policarpio 2
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Continues
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup will have a Saturday special on tap as it takes the action to Batangas. Ginebra will take on the Converge FiberXers later today in a much-anticipated showdown.
Daily Fantasy: 'YUN OH! NANDITO NA ANG PBA
