Kevin Murphy plays best PBA game ever as NorthPort sends Blackwater to elimination

Kevin Murphy put up career-highs against now also-ran Blackwater. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Kevin Murphy played his best PBA game ever on Saturday as he led NorthPort in continuing its last dash to the PBA Governors' Cup playoffs with a 110-104 win against Blackwater in a battle of teams at the bottom of the standings at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Murphy finished with career-highs of 47 points on 15-of-29 field goals including 5-for-10 on threes and a perfect 12-for-12 free throws, 16 rebounds, and four steals with three assists, but his three-point play with 53.2 seconds remaining sparked the Batang Pier's breakaway.

Robert Bolick, who capped NorthPort's endgame attack with a dagger triple with 19 seconds left, added 24 points on 9-for-15 field goals, seven rebounds, and six assists as his team won for the second straight time after a 0-6 start.

Shawn Glover made 20 points, nine rebounds, and three assists for Blackwater, which has been eliminated from playoff contention after falling to 1-9.

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