The NorthPort Batang Pier coaching staff urged the second unit, led by William Navarro, to rise to the occasion against battle-tested Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA playoffs, and they delivered.
NorthPort knew there’s a target on the backs of usual suspects Kadeem Jack, Arvin Tolentino, and Joshua Munzon entering the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
That’s why the coaching staff urged the second unit to step up ahead of the Batang Pier’s quarterfinal match against Magnolia on Thursday, Feb. 6.
They responded big time.
Among those who did was William Navarro, who wound up with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals in the team’s semifinal berth-clinching 113-110 win over the Hotshots.
“Honestly it’s not even about me. It’s a about team effort. I’m just happy that everyone, like in the second half, we shared the ball,” said Navarro after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“That’s a key factor. And then effort. Everybody’s effort nakita sa court.”
Navarro was on point.
Jack did everything on the floor, churning out game-high 30 points to go with 10 rebounds, three assists, five steals, and three blocks.
Tolentino delivered 25 points, four rebounds, four assists, an assist, and two blocks, while Evan Nelle and Allyn Bulanadi chimed in 12 points each.
Meanwhile, Magnolia saw their resurgence late in the conference go down the drain despite 20-point efforts from Mark Barroca, Ricardo Ratliffe, and Paul Lee.
Barroca finished with 26 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists, while Ratliffe put up 22 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, and a block, and Lee delivered 22 points.
The trio spearheaded the Hotshots’ comeback from 14 points down in the fourth period.
In the final three minutes, Lee dropped two four-pointers, with his last pulling the team to within one, 106-107 with 1:32 left to play.
His last attempt from that range in the dying seconds — which could have been the game-winner — rimmed out.
NorthPort now advances to the semis for the second time in six years, and will now wait for the winner between the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and Meralco Bolts.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 113 – Jack 30, Tolentino 25, Navarro 15, Nelle 12, Bulanadi 12, Flores 10, Munzon 5, Yu 4, Tratter 0, Taha 0.
MAGNOLIA 110– Barroca 26, Ratliffe 22, Lee 22, Lucero 13, Sangalang 7, Dionisio 6, Abueva 6, Lastimosa 4, Dela Rosa 4, Alfaro 0, Ahanmisi 0.
Quarterscores: 25-32, 47-61, 83-76, 113-110