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| Stanley Pringle erupted early as the Batang Pier finally snapped their losing streak. Dennis Acosta |
QUEZON CITY--NorthPort shut the door on TNT's last gasp for a Top 2 finish in the PBA Philippine Cup with a 109-83 rout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang Pier romped the KaTropa in the first half, limiting them to just 31 points while a 31-point second quarter opened a 53-31 advantage come halftime.
TNT tried to recover with an 11-0 run to start the third quarter, but NorthPort bounced back later in the third and rebuilt the insurmountable lead in the end.
Stanley Pringle waxed hot in the first half, going on a perfect 7-for-7 clip from the field in the first 24 minutes and finished with 27 points along with nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block for the Batang Pier, whose last ditch to the quarterfinals got a boost as they went up to 3-6, snapping a six-game skid.
Sean Anthony added 14 markers, seven boards, three dimes, and two steals off the bench.
Don Trollano made 15 points, seven caroms, one dime, one steal, and one block for the KaTropa, who slipped to 7-4, denying them of a chance to go as high as second place, which would have meant an incentive in the quarterfinals.
In the process, Rain Or Shine will get the playoff bonus due to the winner-over-the-other rule against the only remaining team in the Top 2 hunt, Ginebra.
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