TNT banks on defense to move closer to Commissioner’s Cup Finals
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NorthPort refuses to fold, forces Game 5 with win over Ginebra
NorthPort extended its campaign in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup by securing a 108-103 victory over Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 on Wednesday, March 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After suffering blowout losses in the first three games—losing by an average of 20.6 points—the Batang Pier finally found a way to stay alive and force a Game 5 on Friday, March 7.
PHOTO COURTESY: PBA
“The No. 1 thing that coach Bonnie (Tan) pointed out in the first three games was our energy and aggressiveness on defense,” Batang Pier assistant coach Rensy Bajar said.
“Now, we have no words to say about the effort of our players, especially in the first part of the game. They showed pressure defense from the backcourt to the frontcourt of Ginebra. They followed our game plan to the tee,” he added.
“The most important part was how they played as a team on defense,” Bajar concluded.
Reinforcement Kadeem Jack and Arvin Tolentino delivered in the clutch to secure the win. Jack hit a crucial turnaround jumper with 19.3 seconds left, giving NorthPort a 106-103 cushion just as the Gin Kings had stormed back with a 10-0 run to erase an 11-point deficit.
The Batang Pier then survived Ginebra’s last ditch efforts as Justin Brownlee missed a layup and Stephen Holt’s wide-open three-pointer failed to connect.
Tolentino sealed the win with two free throws with 8.5 seconds remaining, ensuring that NorthPort stays alive in the series.
Jack dominated with game-high 39 points on 17-of-29 shooting, adding 15 rebounds and five assists. Tolentino was instrumental in the third quarter scoring 14 of his 20 markers during NorthPort's crucial run. He also tallied 11 assists and fell just one rebound shy of a triple-double.
Will Navarro registered 16 points, while Joshua Munzon and Paolo Taha chipped in 11 each. Taha’s three-pointer early in the third period gave NorthPort its first double-digit lead of the series at 63-52.
Unlike their previous matchups, NorthPort stayed competitive early, trailing by just three in the first half before taking a 54-50 lead at the break, thanks to Jack’s buzzer-beating four-point play.
Ginebra had seven players scoring in double figures with Brownlee leading the team with 18 markers, seven boards, and four dimes. RJ Abarrientos also had 18, while Troy Rosario recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Holt finished with 15 markers, Jamie Malonzo had 12, and Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar contributed 11 and 10, respectively.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 108 – Jack 39, Tolentino 20, Navarro 16, Munzon 14, Taha 11, Nelle 3, Bulanadi 3, Miranda 2, Onwubere 0
GINEBRA 103 – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Holt 15, Malonzo 12, Thompson 11, J.Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 2, Gray 0, Cu 0
QUARTER SCORES: 21-22, 54-50, 84-74, 108-103.
