After Arvin Tolentino, it was Joshua Munzon's turn to shine for NorthPort in its third straight win in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Wednesday.
Joshua Munzon found himself open on top of the key, received the pass off a broken play, then launched the shot from four-point line.
The shot went in.
That field goal gave NorthPort enough cushion in the face of a persistent, late fightback by Magnolia, 107-103, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Known more for his defensive prowess, Munzon lit on offense and came through with 25 points on top of nine rebounds, three assists and five steals.
“I just wanted to be aggressive. I felt I was open a lot of the time,” said Munzon after the match.
Joshua Munzon is dependable on both offense and defense for NorthPort in its match against Magnolia in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday, Dec. 4. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
After draining the booming four that gave the Batang Pier a five-point separation, 100-95, with 49 seconds left, Munzon scored on a breakaway layup off a jumpball before Arvin Tolentino sank two free throws for a 104-95 lead with 29.2 ticks remaining.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Magnolia went on a 9-1 uprising capped by an Aris Dionisio triple to make it a one-possession game, 103-105.
But Fran Yu shut the door on Magnolia with his pair of free throws with 8.3 seconds to go.
[RELATED STORY: NorthPort staves off late challenge by Magnolia for third straight win]
It was Kadeem Jack who topscored for NorthPort with 30 points he spiked with 11 rebounds, two steals and two assists.
Arvin Tolentino, held to just eight points in the first 24 minutes of play, went on to collect 27 with four rebounds, a steal and an assist to boot.
Yu added nine points, four rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals.
“Credit to all the players especially sa first group naming nag-step up noong crucial minutes noong laro,” said NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar, whose team actually enjoyed a 13-point spread, 94-81, halfway in the fourth before Magnolia clawed back.
Rookie Jerom Lastimosa flirted with a triple-double with his 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Hotshots.
Rome dela Rosa had 16 points and Mark Barroca added 14 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 107 – Jack 30, Tolentino 27, Munzon 25, Yu 9, Nelle 5, Navarro 4, Flores 4, Onwubere 3, Bulanadi 0, Tratter 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0.
MAGNOLIA 103 – Lastimosa 27, Dela Rosa 16, Dionisio 13, Ratliffe 10, Eriobu 7, Sanaglang 6, Lucero 4, Ahanmisi 3, Abueva 3, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 28-31, 59-52, 77-78, 107-103