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Friday, March 29, 2024

Tautuaa lifts Batang Pier past NLEX

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Big man Moala Tautuaa finally showed why he was the first overall pick of the 2015 PBA Draft.

Tautuaa lifts Batang Pier past NLEX
NorthPort Batang Pier big man Moala Tautuaa (7) muscles his way inside against NLEX Road Warriors defender Larry Fonacier (12). PBA Media

Tautuaa muscled his way to a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds to power the NorthPort Batang Pier past the NLEX Road Warriors, 95-90, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night. 

The core of NorthPort once again came through in the clutch to lead the Batang Pier to a tough victory and stay unbeaten in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

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Sean Anthony was brilliant from start to finish, notching a game-high 22 points with nine rebounds.

The backcourt tandem of Robert Bolick and Stanley Pringle helped the Batang Pier’s cause further, adding 14 and 11 points, respectively.

As a result, NorthPort now finds itself at the top of the heap with a clean 2-0 slate.

On the other hand, NLEX dropped to 0-2 after tasting another defeat.

The Batang Pier gained a much needed leverage early in the fourth after starting the quarter on a 10-5 run to take a key 81-75 lead with 8:33 remaining.

NorthPort carried its lead the rest of the way but not without some danger.

Larry Fonacier’s lay-up with 1:47 left pulled the Road Warriors within just three, 89-92.

But the Batang Pier kept its composure as Tautuua countered by sinking a hook shot inside to make it 94-89 with 1:32 remaining.

NorthPort held on from there.

Evenly matched, the foes fought toe-to-toe for most of the game, exchanging runs throughout.

At the end of three, NorthPort was only ahead by a single point, 71-70.

JP Erram led NLEX with 19 points and seven boards in the losing cause.

As of this writing, Barangay Ginebra (1-0) and San Miguel Beer (0-1) are battling each other in a highly-anticipated contest.

The scores:

NorthPort 95 – Anthony 22, Tautuaa 18, Bolick 14, Pringle 11, Taha 9, Elorde 8, Arana 4, Guinto 3, Flores 2, Lanete 2, Grey 2, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.

NLEX 90 – Erram 19, Quinahan 18, Galanza 11, Paniamogan 10, Magat 8, Tallo 7, Fonacier 5, Baguio 4, Ighalo 2, Alas 2, Soyud 2, Porter 2, Taulava 0, Rios 0.

Quarter scores: 25-22, 48-46, 71-70, 95-90.

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