By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Northport Batang Pier put an end to the winning streak of the NLEX Road Warriors in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup, defeating the latter, 102-94, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Saw their playoff hopes flickering entering the contest, the Batang Pier (4-6), who sits joint eighth place in the race, infused life back to their quarterfinal push with a gutsy performance, especially in the second half, to outlast the Road Warriors (8-2), who saw their five-game winning ascent halted with the loss.
The frontcourt juggernaut of import Michael Qualls and Christian Standhardinger led the way anew for Northport, which lost back-to-back games entering the contest.
Mr. Qualls finished with all-around numbers of 36 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in the victory with Mr. Standhardinger chalking up a huge double-double of 23 points and 19 boards.
NLEX had control of the opening half, taking a 28-25 advantage at the end of the first quarter before widening the gap in the second frame and holding a 51-43 edge at the half.
In the third frame the tide swung on the side of the Batang Pier as they came out with more aggressiveness to take head-on the attack of the Road Warriors.
Northport outscored NLEX, 38-27, to take an 81-78 cushion heading into the final frame.
The teams battled it out at the start of the fourth quarter before the Batang Pier went on a telling 17-7 run from the middle part of the frame to build a 100-87 lead with 1:26 to go in the contest.
NLEX would not be able to recover from it, eventually slumping to the defeat.
Sean Anthony also played big for Northport, finishing with 19 points and seven rebounds.
For NLEX it was import Mike Harris who led the way with 34 points and eight rebounds.
Kiefer Ravena had 16 points while JR Quinahan added 10 for the Road Warriors, who are still in the top two in the standings despite the loss.
“The players showed they really want to win the game because it’s practically do-or-die for us. Had we lost, we would have been eliminated already,” said Northport coach Pido Jarencio.
Northport next plays the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Nov. 17 while NLEX finishes it elimination-round assignment on Nov. 20 against the Alaska Aces.
