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| Stanley Pringle led the Batang Pier again in their late run to the playoffs. Dennis Acosta |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA—NorthPort continued its late surge in the PBA Philippine Cup with a 94-84 win against Alaska at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
The Batang Pier lost an 11-point lead but recovered in time to dampen the Aces' hopes of making the quarterfinals in a battle between teams making a last run to the next round.
Up 71-60 to start the fourth quarter, NorthPort suddenly found itself trailing after Alaska opened the period on a 14-0 run for a 74-71 lead with 9:34 remaining.
The Batang Pier bounced back with a 19-4 run to reclaim the lead for good, 90-78, before settling for the 10-point win.
Sean Anthony made 24 points, 17 rebounds, one assist, and three steals off the bench for NorthPort, which moved up to 4-6, tying NLEX ahead of the All-Star Break.
Stanley Pringle added 21 points, three rebounds, two assist, and one steal in a start.
Carl Cruz fired 23 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one block for Alaska, which now needs to hope for the best after finishing the eliminations at 4-7.
The scores:
NorthPort 94 - Anthony 24, Pringle 21, Tautuaa 14, Grey 13, Flores 6, Taha 6, Bolick 3, Guinto 3, Elorde 2, Sollano 2, Lanete 0.
Alaska 84 - Cruz 23, Thoss 14, Enciso 11, Banchero 8, Pascual 8, Ayaay 6, Casio 5, Baclao 3, Teng 2, Galliguez 2, Racal 2, Exciminiano 0.
Quarters: 16-19, 40-37, 71-60, 94-84.
The scores:
NorthPort 94 - Anthony 24, Pringle 21, Tautuaa 14, Grey 13, Flores 6, Taha 6, Bolick 3, Guinto 3, Elorde 2, Sollano 2, Lanete 0.
Alaska 84 - Cruz 23, Thoss 14, Enciso 11, Banchero 8, Pascual 8, Ayaay 6, Casio 5, Baclao 3, Teng 2, Galliguez 2, Racal 2, Exciminiano 0.
Quarters: 16-19, 40-37, 71-60, 94-84.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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