Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 17) – After losing its first five games, the NorthPort Batang Pier finally clinched a win in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup and handed the Meralco Bolts their first defeat of the conference, 109-98, on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jamel Artis led his team with 26 points and eight rebounds while veteran Arwind Santos stepped up to the occasion with a double-double of 16 markers and 10 boards, as the Batang Pier finally landed in the win column.
The Bolts, who won their first four games of the conference prior to the loss, started strong in the first quarter with a 19-point lead, courtesy of the dominating inside baskets from import Tony Bishop.
The NorthPort rally started in the second quarter with Artis doing most of the damage to trim their deficit to three points, 50-47, at halftime.
Artis and Santos combined in scoring for a big third quarter for the Batang Pier as they reversed the scoreline 81-64 after 36 minutes of action. They outscored the Bolts, 34-14, in the third canto.
NorthPort maintained its double digit lead up to the final buzzer, getting help from newly re-signed star guard Robert Bolick, who delivered an all-around performance of 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the game.
Batang Pier head coach Pido Jarencio said team chemistry has improved during the past days with the veterans’ presence and Artis immediately adapting to their system.
“The players became more aggressive and they put a lot of energy in defense, that’s why the tempo of the game changed. It really started with defense,” Jarencio said during the post-match press conference.
Bishop topscored for Meralco with 34 points and 16 rebounds, while Chris Banchero had his best offensive outing since becoming part of the Bolts with 23 markers.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 109 – Artis 26, Bolick 22, Santos 16, Malonzo 14, Balanza 12, Rike 10, Sumang 9, Taha 0, Ferrer 0
MERALCO 98 – Bishop 34, Banchero 23, Maliksi 14, Newsome 7, Pasaol 6, Hodge 4, Quinto 3, Almazan 3, Hugnatan 2, Belo 0
Quarterscores: 18-32, 47-50, 81-64, 109-98
