PBA: Heroes aplenty as NorthPort staves off Converge in another OT affair

NorthPort figured in another overtime game, but came out victorious this time around as the Batang Pier completed a comeback against Converge, 112-104, for their breakthrough win in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

NorthPort, who lost to NLEX in an overtime thriller just last Friday, improved to 1-1 while the FiberXers fell to a 0-2 hole and absorbed their sixth straight loss since the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. 

Arvin Tolentino was once again at the forefront for the Bonnie Tan-led squad, putting together a double-double effort of 31 points and 11 assists alongside eight rebounds, two steals, and one block, while Joshua Munzon churned out 17 markers, six boards, six steals, and two blocks to instigate their comeback victory. 

NorthPort had to erase an early 18-point deficit before unleashing a massive offensive onslaught in the payoff period, where they poured in 31 points while limiting Converge to just 16. A split from Tolentino gave NorthPort a 96-93 cushion before Alec Stockton sank a triple to tie things up and force an overtime.

NorthPort then unloaded a 6-0 rampage to open the extra period before Bryan Santos came up with five straight points to pull Converge back into the game, 100-104. However, Tolentino completed a slam before Cade Flores’ layup in transition basically sealed it for the Batang Pier, 110-101. 

Flores finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds while Will Navarro also had a double-double outing with 16 markers and 11 boards. Yu, whose defensive efforts lifted NorthPort in the endgame, tallied eight points, six assists, three rebounds, and four steals. 

Scores:

NorthPort 112 – Tolentino 31, Munzon 17, Navarro 16, Flores 14, Bulanadi 8, Yu 8, Calma 7, Zamar 5, Paraiso 3, Adamos 2, Taha 1, Rosales 0, Lucero 0, Chan 0.

Converge 104 – Stockton 27, Arana 24, Santos 11, Nieto 6, Ambohot 6, Wintston 5, Fornilos 5, Caralipio 4, Zaldivar 3, Melecio 3, Delos 2, Fleming 2, Maagdenberg 2, Balanza 2.

Quarters: 19-26, 42-53, 65-80, 96-96, 112-104.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News