NORTHPORT turned its desire for a breakthrough victory to game against a fading Terrafirma five yesterday.
With the locals giving import Kevin Murphy ample help, the Batang Pier turned back the Dyip 115-100 for their first win in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Murphy notched a game-high 28 points, to go with nine rebounds and two assists, while Robert Bolick chipped in 26 markers, nine boards and six dimes.
Rookie JM Calma also had 18 points and nine rebounds while Joshua Munzon added 17 points for NorthPort, which ended a six-game losing streak, counting a 132-145 defeat to San Miguel Beer eight days ago.
Terrafirma, coming off a sorry 118-120 setback to Rain or Shine last Thursday, absorbed its fourth straight loss for a 2-6 record in the season-ending tourney.
Coach Bonnie Tan, the erstwhile Batang Pier team manager and former tactician of reigning three-time NCAA champion Letran, praised his veterans who delivered in the endgame.
“If you evaluate iyong game, lalo na sa endgame, nag-step up iyong mga experienced players natin like captain ball Jeff Chan and our main point guard, si Robert Bolick,” Tan said. “Iyon iyong mga nag-close out ng game. Everyone played well, including Roi (Sumang) and Calma, mga role players natin na nag-step up.
“It’s a big sigh of relief and I’m just happy we got our first win and sana may next time pa.
Mahirap (situation after going 0-6) pero don’t take away iyong nag-3-0 din tayo sa bubble.
Actually, it’s the players na naglalaro and sila iyong nagpanalo ng larong ito,” he added.
NorthPort zoomed to a 61-47 spread at the half and enjoyed an 88-80 edge going into the payoff period.
A JP Calvo basket shoved the Dyip to within 91-98 but the Batang Pier retaliated with a 17-7 tear, capped by a Murphy three-pointer that gave them their biggest lead at 115-98 and put the game to bed with only 1:01 left.
Reinforcement Jordan Williams carried the fight for Terrafirma with 25 points, six caroms, and two feeds, while Juami Tiongson had 18 markers and three rebounds.
Calvo and Eric Camson also contributed 12 points each for the Dyip.
