Joshua Munzon helped NorthPort remain undefeated while spoiling Justine Baltazar's PBA debut with Converge in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan did not want Justine Baltazar’s much-anticipated PBA debut to ruin their hot streak in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
The Batang Pier responded big time on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Among those who stood out was Joshua Munzon, who put on another stellar outing with his 30 points, three rebounds, and the same number of assists and steals as the Batang Pier shot down the FiberXers, 108-101.
[RELATED STORY: NorthPort adds Converge to casualties, stays unbeaten in five games]
Munzon, NorthPort’s Player of the Game for the third straight time, had plenty of help in preserving his squad's spotless record in five tries.
There’s import Kadeem Jack, who turned in 32 points and 15 rebounds.
Arvin Tolentino also had a big night with 21 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Batang Pier.
The top overall pick in the PBA Draft last July, Baltazar looked like he was still groping for form, finishing with five points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal in nearly 21 minutes on the floor.
“Before the start of the game, we knew Balti (Baltazar) will play his first game. We just discussed that 'wag nating ibigay sa isang taong rookie 'yung magandang ginagawa natin for the past four games. At least, nag-step up ang mga players natin,” said Tan after the match at the Ninoy Aquino
Stadium in Manila.
Converge kept pace with the Batang Pier for the most part, with Alec Stockton tying things up at 97-all with 2:55 left to play.
But that’s when Munzon showed his Player-of-the-Game-worthy caliber, unloading back-to-back three-pointers to push NorthPort ahead, 103-97, inside the last 95 seconds.
Jack nailed a triple of his own before Tolentino completely shut the door on Baltazar and the FiberXers with a pair of free throws.
“Na-challenge siguro. Na-realize ng mga players na sayang nga 'yung 4-0 run nila kung matatalo,” said Tan.
But it wasn’t only Baltazar’s first game in the league that NorthPort spoiled.
Jordan Heading also saw his 30-point, six-rebound and six-assist outing go down the drain in the loss which dropped Converge to 2-2.
Stockton had 16 points while Schonny Winston added 15.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 108 – Jack 32, Munzon 30, Tolentino 21, Nelle 13, Yu 6, Navarro 4, Onwubere 2, Flores 0, Tratter 0, Bulanadi 0, Cuntapay 0, Miranda 0.
CONVERGE 101 – Heading 30, Stockton 16, Winston 15, Diallo 13, Arana 8, Racal 7, Baltazar 5, Santos 4, Andrade 3, Delos Santos 0, Nieto 0, Javillonar 0, Caralipio 0.
Quarterscores: 24-33, 54-57, 75-76, 108-101