PBA: Cade Flores leads youthful NorthPort in spoiler vs. Phoenix

Cade Flores poured in yet another big game as NorthPort hacked out a 124-120 victory to spoil the debut of Phoenix Super LPG in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The rookie big man came alive early in the fourth period before the rest of the crew got the job done as he dropped a season-high 21 points, alongside 12 rebounds and two assists, to help the Batang Pier improve to 2-1. The Fuel Masters, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a 0-1 start. 

Flores found his form in the payoff period, nailing 10 of his overall output highlighted by a slam that gave them a 94-86 lead. However, the Fuel Masters proved they have no quit in them with another rookie in Ricci Rivero helping the youth-laden Phoenix take the lead at 111-110. 

Fellow rookies Fran Yu and Zavier Lucero, though, made sure Flores’ efforts would not go down the drain with the former scoring five straight points before setting the stage for a Lucero layup that allowed NorthPort to build a 117-113 cushion. 

Arvin Tolentino and Yu then sank four free throws before Lucero split his own en route to a 124-120 win. 

Lucero finished with 18 points and four assists while veteran Jeff Chan and Joshua Munzon chipped in 17 markers apiece. Tolentino and Yu listed 15 and 13 points each while Paul Zamar chimed in with 11 off the bench. 

Jason Perkins starred for Phoenix with 28 points together with seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal while Tyler Tio added 19. 

Scores:

NorthPort 124 – Flores 21, Lucero 18, Munzon 17, Tolentino 15, Yu 13, Zazmar 11, Bulanadi 6, Calma 2, Rosales 2, Paraiso 2,8Adamos 0, Amores 0, Cuntapay 0.

Phoenix 120 – Perkins 24, Tio 19, Jazul 15, Rivero 13, Tuffin 11, Manganti 9, Mocon 8, Soyud 4, Daves 4, Alejandro 3, Muyang 2, Garcia 2, Camacho 2, Lalata 0, Verano 0.

Quarters: 35-25, 61-52, 90-80, 124-120.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News