Joshua Munzon and the rest of the NorthPort Batang Pier now await the results for the remaining teams as they hang on to their playoff incentive dream.
Joshua Munzon sat beside NorthPort deputy Rensy Bajar in the press room as he was named Player of the Game for the nth time this PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
Munzon has just helped the Batang Pier pummel Blackwater, 120-93, to notch their ninth win in 12 games at the end of their elimination round assignment.
NorthPort thus strengthened its solo hold of the top spot and bolstered its chances for one of the two win-once incentives in the quarterfinals.
It's all about seeing their hard work through, not putting any bit of it to waste, according to Munzon.
"Just wanted to come out and finish strong. We have been working hard all year. We don't want to have a letdown coming in today and go on into the playoffs," he said.
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Munzon produced a second-best 21 points he topped with one board, five assists and a steal.
Import Kadeem Jack led the scoring with his 30 markers.
Equally impressive was Arvin Tolentino who punched in triple double numbers of 14 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and one block.
Interestingly, the Batang Pier poured an identical 30 points in each of the quarters, the biggest of which came in the second period which allowed them to lead by 17 points, 60-43, at the break.
They never relinquished their huge advantage from there which ballooned to as much as 36 points in the fourth.
This intensity is what Munzon would like for his squad to bring to the quarterfinals.
"So, just wanted to bring the intensity on defense and go out and finish strong today, and we did that. So happy with the results and we're just going to try and take that into the playoffs," he said.
Justin Chua and RK Ilagan combined for 26 points for the Bossing, who played sans reinforcement George King.
Blackwater exited with a 3-9 card.