NorthPort blew a 13-point lead in the fourth period but hung tough in the end against Phoenix for its second straight win in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
Seven players put in double figures as NorthPort escaped with a 124-120 win over Phoenix in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday, March 8.
The Batang Pier collapsed from a 106-93 lead five minutes into the fourth quarter but leaned on Fran Yu (13 points), Zav Lucero (18) and Arvin Tolentino (15) down the stretch to repel the Fuel Masters and secure their second straight victory after an opening game setback.
Phoenix, a surprise semifinalist in the previous conference, started its campaign with a loss.
Rookie Cade Flores spearheaded the Batang Pier’s balanced attack with 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field. He also collared 12 rebounds.
Jeff Chan and Joshua Munzon chipped in 17 points apiece while Paul Zamar added 11.
Batang Pier collected 88 points from its bench as it followed up on its 112-104 victory over Converge the last time out.
"Like what I've said to my players, it's not about starting the game, it's about the finish," said NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan.
"Second unit is very crucial for the young NorthPort team."
Chan and Lucero connected from beyond the arc to give Batang Pier a 13-point advantage, 106-93, with 7:37 to go in the final period.
But the Fuel Masters refused to fold and fought back with a stifling backcourt pressure.
Ricci Rivero and Tyler Tio accounted for seven unanswered points for Phoenix to inch within 100-106 with 6:03 to go.
And though Tio had to leave the court at the 5:03 mark due to a left ankle sprain, the Fuel Masters sustained their inspired play as Jason Perkins took over to stretch their run to 17-4 and tie the count at 110-all with a huge defensive play and a breakaway layup with a little over four minutes to go.
Phoenix even seized the upperhand on a split by Rivero for a 111-110 count before NorthPort quickly countered behind Yu to make it a see-saw battle from there.
An intercept by Yu led to a Lucero layup that handed the lead back to the Batang Pier, 117-113 with 2:47 to go.
They held on to their slim advantage to the finish, with Tolentino also chipping in before Yu and Lucero sealed it by going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe in the last 17 seconds.
Perkins scored a game-high 28 points and added seven rebounds and two dimes for the Fuel Masters.
Tio wound up with 19 points on two triples while RJ Jazul and Rivero had 15 and 13 points, respectively.