NorthPort's Joshua Munzon soars for a layup against TNT in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, December 8, 2024 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. PBA Images
MANILA -- NorthPort displayed great composure down the stretch to hold off TNT, 100-95, and stay undefeated in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Joshua Munzon hit a clutch three-pointer and the Batang Pier locked down defensively in the closing minute to improve to 4-0 in the conference, while handing the Tropang GIGA a second loss in a row.
Munzon finished with 20 points, the highest scorer among the NorthPort locals, while import Kadeem Jack put up a 27-point, 11-rebound double-double. Arvin Tolentino added 17 points and 11 boards of his own.
In a back-and-forth affair, TNT took a slim 94-93 lead off two charities by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but William Navarro found Evan Nelle open under the hoop for the go-ahead bucket with 2:32 left, 95-94. A Tolentino layup with under two minutes left made it a three-point game.
Hollis-Jefferson kept TNT alive, splitting his free throws for a 97-95 count with still 1:43 to go. But Munzon knocked down a dagger triple with 1:28 to play, pegging the final score, as the Batang Pier denied the Tropang GIGA the rest of the way.
NorthPort forced Roger Pogoy into a rushed three-pointer, and Hollis-Jefferson and Calvin Oftana could not connect on a pass after a TNT stop. Two missed free throws by Jack gave TNT some hope, but he made up for his error on offense by blocking a four-point attempt by Oftana in the next possession, and the Batang Pier held on from there.
Oftana had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Tropang GIGA, while Hollis-Jefferson finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. However, he also committed seven turnovers before fouling out with 19.2 ticks left.
The Scores :
NORTHPORT 100 -Jack 27, Munzon 20, Tolentino 17, Navarro 12, Nelle 8, Yu 6, Onwubere 4, Cuntapay 3, Bulanadi 3, Flores 0, Miranda 0
TNT 95 – Oftana 20, Hollis-Jefferson 19, Pogoy 17, Khobuntin 14, Galinato 10, Nambatac 9, Aurin 4, Razon 2, Heruela 0, Exciminiano 0, Ebona 0
QUARTERS : 26-22, 45-52, 72-73, 100-95