Even without superstar Stanley Pringle, NorthPort was able to make a good first impression as it walloped Alaska, 103-81, for a rousing start in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City last night.
The duo of Sean Anthony and Robert Bolick took center stage to lead the Batang Pier to its first victory of the tournament.
Anthony dropped a game-high 22 points with six rebounds and four assists while Bolick had 19 points and five dimes for NorthPort.
Import Prince Ibeh also had a solid night, dishing out a double-double with 19 points, on 64-percent shooting, and 13 boards for the victors.
While the Batang Pier started its run at 1-0, the Aces fell to 1-1, failing to follow-up on their opening day win.
NorthPort was in cruise control from start to finish as it kept Alaska off bay for the entirety of the contest.
Led by the early offense of Anthony and Bolick, the Batang Pier already carved an early double-digit lead, 28-18, in the closing seconds of the opening quarter.
A 14-2 run late in the second re-established NorthPort’s double-digit edge, 49-37, before carrying a 51-42 lead at the turn.
Anthony and Bolick each had 12 points already by halftime. The two had to carry more scoring load due to the absence of Pringle, who missed the game after having operation recently to remove bone spurs.
NorthPort maintained its steady play and its lead in the third, restoring its twin-digit advantage for most part to stay in command, taking a 75-66 cushion into the final 12 minutes of play.
The Batang Pier then finished the job in the fourth as the Aces were only able to get as close as six points early in the period.
Following that, NorthPort completed the rout and buried Alaska deep the rest of the way.
Chris Daniels led Alaska with 21 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Alaska also missed a vital guard in Chris Banchero due to a calf injury.
The scores:
NorthPort 103—Anthony 22, Bolick 19, Ibeh 19, Grey 13, Tautuaa 12, Taha 9, Elorde 5, Arana 4, Flores 0.
Alaska 81—Daniels 21, Enciso 10, Ayaay 10, Cruz 9, Casio 8, Baclao 7, Exciminiano 6, Thoss 4, Teng 2, Pascual 2, Racal 2, Galliguez 0, Babilonia 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 51-42, 75-66, 103-81