By REYNALD MAGALLON
Kevin Murphy produced several firsts as NorthPort pumped some life to its playoff hopes with a crucial 110-104 victory over the also-ran Blackwater in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 25.
The Batang Pier import tallied 46 points, 16 rebounds and four steals – all of which are his new PBA career-highs to steer NorthPort to its second-straight victory and stay in hunt for a spot in the playoffs with a 2-6 record.
Robert Bolick also added 24 points including the dagger triple and a pair of free throws that denied the Bossing a chance for comeback, sending them stumbling to their eighth-straight defeat for a 1-9 slate.
Interim head coach Bonnie Tan credited the players’ familiarity with each other and the system to NorthPort’s sudden resurgence.
“This is our second-straight win at least we’re going up hindi yung going down na patapos na ‘yung liga so familiarity kasi sa isa’t-isa and adjustment sa game plan sa team yun lang yung pinapracitce namin going into the game so sana pataas pa,” said Tan
The Bossing actually led by as many as 13 points, 62-49 early in the third frame but they just couldn’t hold on to the lead as Murphy dropped 21 of his total in the second half while Bolick backstopped him with 14.
It was even a tight ball game with both teams tied with 100-all with 1:49 left in the contest. A Murphy jumper triggered a deciding 8-1 spurt that allowed them to build a 108-101 lead with 23 seconds remaining.
Jvee Casio tried to keep the Bossing alive with a triple but Bolick proved to be steady at the foul line, drilling two more free throws that ultimately sealed the deal for NorthPort.
In the other game, the NLEX Road Warriors raced to a blistering start before shrugging off a late fightback from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to cruise to a 110-99 victory.
Kevin Alas led NLEX with 28 points while import Wayne Selden Jr. chipped in 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Don Trollano continued to display his fine form with 20 points to help the Road Warriors improve to a 6-3 record and formally secure a quarterfinals berth after getting denied the last time out following a loss to Meralco.
The scores:
First Game
NORTHPORT 110 – Murphy 47, Bolick 24, Calma 10, Tolentino 9, Zamar 6, Sumang 6, Chan 3, Taha 2, Santos 2, Munzon 1, Balagasay 0, Caperal 0.
BLACKWATER 104 – Glover 20, Banal 19, Casio 14, Ayonayon 12, Taha 9, Ular 8, Suerte 7, Rosario 7, Ilagan 6, Hill 2, Escoto 0, DiGregorio 0, Amer 0.
Quarters: 25-21, 49-58, 74-78, 110-104.
Second Game
NLEX 110 – Alas 28, Selden Jr. 21, Trollano 20, Miranda 8, Goliguez 8, Rosales 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Nieto 6, Pascual 4.
RAIN OR SHINE 99 – Nambatac 26, Norwood 13, Demusis 12, Santillan 8, Mamuyac 7, Ildefonso 7, Borboran 7, Caracut 5, Belga 4, Smith 3, Yap 3, Ponferrada 2, Asistio 0, Clarito 0.
Quarters: 33-13, 62-35, 80-66, 110-99.
