NorthPort saw its 24-point lead disappear in a blink of an eye, but the Batang Pier recovered just in time to frustrate the San Miguel Beermen in a thrilling finish.
Kadeem Jack started the tone and rescued the NorthPort Batang Pier from a monumental collapse.
Jack scored the go-ahead basket as the Batang Pier hacked out a nail-biting 105-104 escape over the Beermen on Tueday, January 21, bolstering their hunt for twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
The 32-year-old capped off a red-hot offensive production with 38 markers with a game-winning basket with 16.7 seconds left.
Arvin Toleinto added to provide the local support needed with a 22-point outing while Will Navarro logged 17 in a game where NorthPort led by as many as 24 points.
It was NorthPort’s eighth win in the tournament against three losses, grabbing a share of the second spot with the Converge FiberXers.
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo paced the Beermen with a double-double outing of 24 points and 15 rebounds with CJay Perez chipping 15 more. Import Malik Pope only finished with four points on a measly 2-of-8 shooting and did not play in the fourth quarter.
The loss proved to be costly for the Beermen, who are tied with the Magnolia Hotshots and NLEX Road Warriors for the eighth and final playoff spot behind identical 4-6 win-loss cards.
NorthPort slugs it out with Blackwater to end their elimination round campaign while San Miguel look to end their skid against Converge.