Northport import Kadeem Jack during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against San Miguel Beermen. –PBA IMAGES
NorthPort kept it together in the most critical time on Tuesday night to take down San Miguel, 105-104, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Import Kadeem Jack hit a turnaround jumper over Mo Tautuaa with 16.7 remaining to put the Batang Pier on top and ultimately bail out the club in what could’ve been a massive meltdown after having led by as many as 24 points.
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Jack finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, a pair of assists, four steals, and a block to send NorthPort to an 8-3 mark, and within sniffing range of a twice-to-beat edge for the playoffs.
Arvin Tolentino had 22 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while William Navarro and Joshua Munzon added 12 each in the win at Ynares Center in Antipolo City that also allowed Blackwater to stay in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth.
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NorthPort Batang Pier star Arvin Tolentino. –PBA IMAGES
June Mar Fajardo had 24 points and 15 rebounds, while CJ Perez 21 and five. Don Trollano, Juami Tiongson, and Tautuaa all registered twin-digit scores, but with import Malik Pope playing goat, the Beermen dropped to 4-6 win-loss, barely within the Top 8.
NorthPort, now sitting at No. 2, can lock up the playoff bonus when it battles Blackwater this Saturday.
San Miguel, meanwhile, has two more games left. The struggling powerhouse plays budding rival Converge this coming Friday and then Governors’ Cup titlist TNT on Jan. 31.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 105 – Jack 38, Tolentino 22, Navarro 17, Munzon 12, Nelle 6, Bulanadi 6, Tratter 2, Flores 2, Yu 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0
SAN MIGUEL 104 – Fajardo 24, Perez 21, Trollano 16, Tautuaa 14, Tiongson 10, Cruz 6, Pope 4, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Rosales 3, Ross 0
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QUARTERSCORES: 32-22, 69-52, 91-74, 105-104.
