By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
The Northport Batang Pier barged into the win column in the PBA Philippine Cup after routing the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 115-79, on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Northport left Phoenix from the second quarter all the way to the fourth period, outscoring the latter, 93-61, to take their record to 1-1 early in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino tournament.
Guard Robert Bolick, Kevin Ferrer and rookie big man Troy Rike each finished with 20 points apiece for the Batang Pier in the victory. Mr. Bolick also had 11 assists and seven rebounds while Mr. Ferrer grabbed nine boards. Mr. Rike, meanwhile, shot a high 85% (6-of-7) from three-point land.
Also finishing with double-digit points for Northport were Sidney Onwubere and rookie Jamie Malonzo with 15 points each, and Paolo Taha with 12.
The 36-point winning margin was the largest for the Batang Pier in franchise history, eclipsing their 34-point advantage, 124-90, against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings set in Game One of their 2019 Governors’ Cup best-of-five semifinal series.
Meanwhile, Phoenix, which dropped to its second defeat in as many outings, was led by the 26 points of Vic Manuel. Matthew Wright finished with 15 points.