NorthPort pulls away in Q4 to eliminate all-Filipino ROS

Kevin Murphy was almost unstoppable from beyond the arc! PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—NorthPort kept its flickering hopes of making the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals alive after ousting Rain Or Shine from contention with a 113-97 blowout win on Saturday night at the PhilSports Arena.

A buzzer-beating three from Kevin Murphy to end the third quarter sparked the Batang Pier's breakaway even as they erupted for 33 points in the fourth to finish off the Elasto Painters.

Murphy finished with 39 points on 13-of-23 shooting including 10-for-12 on threes, 13 rebounds, and five assists, while Paul Zamar added a career-high 20 points with five rebounds, three assists, and one steal for NorthPort, which moved up to 3-7.

Jeff Chan, Robert Bolick, and JM Calma each chipped in 11 points with Calma also grabbing 10 rebounds for the double-double.

NorthPort hopes that Phoenix falls to Meralco on Sunday night and the team could beat TNT on March 15 to force a playoff for the eighth seed.

Santi Santillan put up 17 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal for ROS, which fell to 2-8.

The team played without an import for the second straight game.

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