Robert Bolick sank the game-winning lay-up with 2.8 seconds remaining to lift NorthPort to a thrilling, 110-108, escape win over gritty Columbian Dyip to inch closer to a top two finish in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.
With the game tied at 108-all, Bolick got his hands on the ball and drove hard to convert on the go-ahead lay-up in traffic and give the Batang Pier the lead, 110-108.
Still with a chance to either tie or win, the Dyip went to Eric Camson but the big man missed his jumper at the buzzer, enabling NorthPort to come away with the tight win.
Mo Tautuaa once again led NorthPort's charge with a complete game with a team-high 23 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Bolick did the same, finishing with 21 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The two weren't alone as Prince Ibeh had his double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Nico Elorde also had some endgame heroics while adding 14 points, six assists and seven boards to his credit.
As a result, NorthPort improved to 9-2, still in second place, and enhanced its chances of holding on to one of the top two seeds.
CJ Perez's lay-up with 10 seconds remaining tied the count at 108-all.
Before that, Elorde came to the Batang Pier's rescue as his clutch performance also helped his team's cause.
The Batang Pier was down by a point with under four minutes left when Elorde suddenly erupted with three straight triples to erect a personal 9-3 run and give NorthPort a 108-103 lead heading to the twilight zone before Columbian made things tighter in the final minute.
The Batang Pier missed the services of star Sean Anthony, who sat out due to a swollen ankle.
For most part, the two teams exchanged spurts and blows with neither gaining significant ground.
Columbian fell to 2-7 and only holds a slim chance of possibly having a playoff for a place in the top eight, depending on how the remaining games go.
Lester Prosper led the Dyip with his game-high 36 points and 17 rebounds in the losing cause.
Perez also had another splendid night for the Dyip with 29 points.