Games today:
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
3:30 p.m. — Blackwater vs Rain or Shine
6:15 p.m. — NLEX vs Magnolia
It only took NorthPort the first 12 minutes to set the tone for an easy fourth straight win over a sloppy TNT side.
The Batang Pier led by as many as 32 points before cruising to a 112-96 blowout of the Tropang Giga for a share of second spot in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NorthPort showed no signs of rust despite almost a month of inactivity, taking a double-digit advantage after the first period. It never allowed TNT a taste of the lead the whole match to improve to a 4-1 win-loss record tied with NLEX behind unbeaten San Miguel Beer (3-0).
“I requested them to stay consistent, aside from our practices where they showed great effort. They really gave me what I wanted in this game,” a grateful Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan said of his wards, who last saw action back on 10 March.
Arvin Tolentino had a fun night, scoring 29 points off a 10-of-17 shooting clip on top of eight rebounds, five assists and two steals for NorthPort.
Tolentino gave the Batang Pier their biggest advantage, 66-34, off a triple with still 11:16 in the third quarter.
JM Calma had a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds while Joshua Munzon got 14 points for NorthPort, which shot an incredible 43-of-84 field goal and pounded 56 points in the paint.
TNT continued to blow hot and cold as it absorbed its second loss in a row for a 2-3 card.
RR Pogoy was the lone bright spot for the Tropang Giga finishing with a game-high 34 points. Kim Aurin had 18 markers while Calvin Oftana scored 13 and grabbed nine boards.
