NorthPort eliminates 3 teams from playoff bid after defeating Aces

FILE: “Final: 94 – 84 in favor of the NorthPort Batang Pier!
Best Player: Sean Anthony with 24 points and 17 rebounds #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

NorthPort Batang Pier is still eligible for playoff contention after defeating the Alaska Aces, 94-84, last Wednesday, March 27 for the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup elimination match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Sean Anthony led the way for NorthPort with a double-double at 24 points and 17 rebounds. Stanley Pringle had a double-digit contribution as well with 21 points. Filipino-Tongan Moala Tautuaa chipped 14, while Jonathan Grey delivered 13. For Alaska, it was Carl Bryan Cruz who performed with 23 points, followed by Sonny Thoss and Simon Enciso who added 14 and 11 points respectively, but the rest of their teammates struggled to find shot opportunities.

Grey was more than pleased that his team “stepped up” during this crucial win, sharing during the post-game interview, “We’re finding our teammates. Our second unit was huge because our starters did not play that well. I lost my confidence midway through the conference but my teammates always picked me up. We’re not out of it yet but we’re one step closer.”

Coach Pido Jarencio of NorthPort also applauded his players’ performances, saying in Filipino, “The players really wanted this win. For them, they want to make a name for themselves during a do-or-die game, then they won.” He added, “We’ve eased down the pressure on our back-to-back wins, and we’re happy there’s the All-Star break, we’ll be able to rest and refresh ourselves before doing our preparation against Ginebra,” confidently concluding, “We’re assured of a playoff.”

This is Batang Pier’s second win in a row after their six-game losing streak, barely staying alive to enter the quarter finals with a 4-6 win-loss standing. For Alaska, this loss meant being eliminated for the season after seven losses and four wins. Because of their victory, NorthPort knocked out Columbian Dyip and Meralco as well.

NorthPort will secure their spot into the playoffs if they win their next game against Ginebra San Miguel next Wednesday, April 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In anticipation of the match, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone stated, “I’m not looking forward to [facing NorthPort]. They beat us in the last semifinals.”