NORTHPORT completely outplayed NLEX in a duel of skidding teams Wednesday, arresting its slide with a vital 107-94 win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Robert Bolick checked his personal slump with a 33-point explosion, and the Batang Pier came back to life in notching a first win in their last four outings and fourth in nine games overall.
Bolick had a big game also marked by 12 rebounds and seven assists, and Wil Navarro and Prince Ibeh had their own solid all-around showings as NorthPort bumped off NLEX at ninth place, handing the Road Warriors a fifth loss against only three wins.
"Lahat kami nasa isip namin na kailangan manalo. Sa practice pa lang, go hard na kami, at lahat maganda ang inilaro," said Bolick.
"Ako gumising na nasa isip kong kailangang manalo. Tinitira ko talaga (all the opportunities), wala lang, kailangan talagang manalo," he added.
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With their great resolve, the Batang Pier utterly dominated the Road Warriors, leading by as many as 24 before eventually claiming the crucial victory.
"Sana ito na ang start na we keep on winning. Crucial na lahat ng natitira naming laro," said coach Pido Jarencio.
"Si Wil nakuha yung first win niya in three games, happy ako for him," Jarencio added.
Navarro logged 17 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to mark his first triumph in the pro league coming from his Gilas stint.
Ibeh piled up 22 markers and 17 rebounds for his own double-double game while Jeff Chan, Roi Sumang and Arvin Tolentino chipped in 12, 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
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Earl Clark top scored for NLEX with 29, making 18 of those in the third where they made a run to come to within six at 60-66.
However, the Batang Pier refused to crack, reestablishing a double-digit spread, 80-68, by the end of the quarter then broke away again in the payoff period. (SB)
The Scores:
Northport 107 - Bolick 33, Ibeh 22, Navaro 17, Chan 12, Sumang 11, Tolentino 10, Calma 2, Balanza 0, Caperal 0, Ferrer 0.
NLEX 94 - Clark 29, Alas 18, Rosales 9, Chua 8, Miranda 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Paniamogan 6, Celda 5, Ighalo 3, Magat 3, Taulava 0, Varilla 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 49-36, 80-68, 107-94.
