Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) – Import Jamel Artis saved the day for the NorthPort Batang Pier as he led his team in ending the remaining unbeaten slate in the PBA Governors’ Cup, this time against the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots.
Artis registered 42 points, nine rebounds, eight assists to become the clutch hero for the Batang Pier against the Hotshots, 103-101, on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The former Orlando Magic cager made the game-winning free-throw basket, with eight seconds remaining in the game, as Magnolia guard Paul Lee missed a wide-open three-point shot in the final play of the match.
NorthPort also ended the undefeated record of the Meralco Bolts a week ago for their first win of the conference and are now on a two-game winning streak.
“This win is for the players. They did their work today. Puso! Hardwork! They all worked for this win,” said a jubilant NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio as his team improves to a 2-5 slate.
NorthPort led throughout the first three quarters of the contest by as much as 19 points, but Magnolia mounted a huge scoring rally in the final canto to change the complexion of the game.
With over four-and-a-half minutes remaining in the match, the Hotshots gained the upper hand, 88-86, after veteran guard Mark Barroca made his two free-throws off a Jamie Malonzo foul.
The two squads exchanged leads in the next minutes, then Magnolia import Mike Harris tallied the last deadlock of the game at 99-all after splitting his charity shots with 1:10 remaining.
In the next possession, Batang Pier veteran swingman Arwind Santos committed a ball handling turnover which led to a Hotshots fastbreak play, but the ball slipped out of Barroca’s hands.
NorthPort made crucial stops in the next sequence of plays, as Artis converted a long-range jump shot against Magnolia center Rafi Reavis for a 101-99 lead and former Letran standout Jerrick Balanza making a crucial block off an inside attempt by Aris Dionisio.
Malonzo shot one of his two free-throws with 18 seconds remaining in the game for a 102-99 advantage, but the Hotshots trimmed their deficit to a point after Harris went perfect in the foul line after a Santos blocking foul.
Artis was again fouled by Reavis with eight seconds to go in the contest and converted the winning free throw basket.
Harris had 34 points and 12 rebounds for Magnolia, which is now tied with Meralco at the top of the team standings with a 6-1 record.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 103 – Artis 42, Malonzo 19, Santos 14, Sumang 10, Taha 9, Balanza 5, Doliguez 2, Abundo 1, Rike 1
MAGNOLIA 101 – Harris 34, Barroca1 6, Lee 14, Dionisio 11, Jalalon 10, Sangalang 9, Corpuz 4, Ahanmisi 3, Reavis 0, Wong 0, Brill 0
Quarterscores: 33-21, 58-46, 77-62, 103-101
