Sixth man lifts NorthPort off the bench vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines — Sean Anthony provided a huge impact off the bench, coming through with game highs of 22 points and seven steals on top of nine rebounds and five assists as NorthPort drubbed NLEX, 95-90, for a second straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

“That’s his usual game. He plays with heart and pride. He’s consistent with that. And as our sixth man, he really provides us tremendous boost,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio of the guy who led them to a follow-up to their 117-91 rout of Blackwater Wednesday.

Moala Tautuaa was also a solid force with 18 markers and 11 boards while rookie Rob Bolick and Stanley Pringle added 14 and 11, respectively, as NorthPort outlasted NLEX in a tough nip-and-tuck battle and sent the Road Warriors to a second straight loss.

“We’re 2-0. And though we now we have a long way to go, we feel good winning over NLEX. They’re a strong team. This win would be a boost to the players and even to the coaching staff,” said Jarencio.

“Our early preparation has paid off. The conditioning we worked on in the offseason is serving us well. Our players are fresh all the way to the end,” Jarencio added. “That’s our problem before. We’re leading by 10 to 15 points in the first half, mauubos pagdating sa second half.”

Jarencio, however, said they would still need a little more help from their reserve bigs – Jimari Sollano, Lervyn Flores, Joseph Gabayni and Bradwyn Guinto.

Anthony, Tautuaa, Bolick, Pringle, Paolo Taha and Nico Elorde were six players that put in the bulk of NorthPort’s numbers.

San Miguel Beer played its true worth two nights after a shocking loss to Columbian Dyip, and rebounded with a 99-91 win over Barangay Ginebra in a duel of champs later in the night.

“Nakanti ang pride doon sa talo against Columbian, and their pride prevailed in this game,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

Both teams are at 1-1 going to their next game. San Miguel tangles with Meralco at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Friday while Ginebra tackles Rain or Shine in a Petron Blaze Saturday showdown at the Calasiao Sports Center in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

The scores:

First Game

NorthPort 95 – Anthony 22, Tautuaa 18, Bolick 14, Pringle 11, Taha 9, Elorde 8, Arana 4, Guinto 3, Flores 2, Lanete 2, Grey 2, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.

NLEX 90 – Erram 19, Quinahan 18, Galanza 11, Paniamogan 10, Magat 8, Tallo 7, Fonacier 5, Baguio 4, Ighalo 2, Alas 2, Soyud 2, Porter 2, Taulava 0, Rios 0.

Quarterscores: 25-22, 48-46, 71-70, 95-90

Second Game

San Miguel 99 - Standhardinger 26, Ross 22, Lassiter 16, Pessumal 13, Fajardo 10, Santos 6, Nabong 6, Tubid 0, Zamar 0.

Ginebra 91 - Tenorio 24, Aguilar 20, Slaughter 11, Thompson 9, Devance 6, Teodoro 6, Dela Cruz 4, Ferrer 4, Caguioa 3, Mariano 2, Mercado 2.

Quarterscores: 20-17, 44-35, 78-57, 99-91.