NorthPort uncorked a scorching start in overtime to complete a come-from-behind, 112-104, victory over Converge in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A huge 8-1 punch to open the extension was all the Batang Pier needed to take control of the game and notch their first win in two games – both decided in overtime.
NorthPort bunched a couple of fastbreaks in the searing run that shattered a 96-96 tie at the end of regulation to a 104-97 advantage capped by a Fran Yu driving layup in the last 2:27 of overtime.
The Batang Pier went down by as many as 18 points but unleashed a 31-16 fourth quarter scoring barrage to force the extra five minutes.
“The players did not give up even after Converge went up big. It was a collective effort especially on our team defense,” NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan said.
NorthPort had a chance to win in regulation after Arvin Tolentino’s split at the foul line for a 96-93 lead with 15 seconds left. Alec Stockton tied it for the FiberXers with a trey that forged the overtime.
Tolentino paced the Batang Pier with 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Joshua Munzon had 17 points, six rebounds and six steals while Will Navarro and Cade Flores got 16 and 14 markers, respectively, for NorthPort.
Converge remained winless in two starts.
Stockton finished with 27 points in 8-of-12 field goal shooting while Justin Arana had a double-double of 25 markers and 13 rebounds for the FiberXers.
Box 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
