NorthPort defuses TNT

MANILA, Philippines — NorthPort displayed its defensive prowess, putting the cuffs on TNT’s scoring machine Terrence Jones, to set the tone for an emphatic 110-86 rout and a slice of the lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the MOA Arena.

Mo Tautuaa and Sean Anthony took turns hounding Jones, limiting KaTropa reinforcement to only 17 markers after breaching the 40-point barrier in their first two outings, while comebacking Stanley Pringle (22), Robert Bolick (21) and import Prince Ibeh (18 points, 20 boards) took charge offensively as the NorthPort caught up with Blackwater at the top at 3-0.

 In addition to their defensive duties, Anthony and Tautuaa contributed 13 and 11, respectively.

“We almost played a perfect game on defense,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio, whose wards held TNT to a 32-of-81 field goal (39.5) percent overall. 

“Our defense against Jones was great; Sean and Mo alternated in restraining their high-scoring import. Our mindset was really to play good defense on Terrence Jones and the rest will follow,” he said of their effort on Jones, who averaged 42 markers prior to his matchup.

Pringle, who missed NP’s first two games while completing his recovery from bone spurs injury, knocked down five triples in his return outing, spearheading a lethal 18-0 blast in a five-minute span bridging the third and fourth to trigger their breakaway, 83-65.

In the second game, Alaska snapped a two-game slide with a 100-87 drubbing of a Yeng Guiao-less NLEX squad to improve to 2-2.

The Aces drew twin-digit outputs from six mainstays, led by Jeron Teng’s 20, to beat the winless Road Warriors (0-3), whose head tactician Guiao went on a leave of absence for a European vacation.

Notes: The PBA board convenes today to discuss the preparations of Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA World Cup. The league is set to deliberate on the training schedule prepared by coach Yeng Guiao..Also up for discussion, among others, is the PBA’s policy on members of the coaching staff moonlighting as coaches in other semi-pro leagues...PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial slapped a one-game suspension and P20,000 fine on Blackwater’s James Sena for his landing spot foul on Jeff Chan in the Elite’s victory over Barangay Ginebra last week. Sena was slapped with a flagrant penalty 2, leading to his ejection. Chan, meanwhile, suffered a serious ankle sprain. 

The scores:

First Game

NorthPort 110 – Pringle 22, Bolick 21, Ibeh 18, Anthony 13, Lanete 12, Tautuaa 11, Elorde 9, Grey 2, Gabayni 2, Flores 0, Taha 0, Arana 0.

TNT 86 – Rosario 22, Pogoy 19, Jones 17, Castro 10, Heruela 5, Taha 4, Trollano 4, Semerad 3, Reyes 2, Williams 0, Golla 0, Miranda 0, Casino 0.

Quarterscores: 25-28, 43-44, 77-65, 110-86

Second Game

Alaska 100 – Teng 20, Banchero 17, Daniels 17, Casio 10, Cruz 10, Enciso 10, Pascual 7, Thoss 6, Racal 3, Exciminiano 0, Potts 0.

NLEX 87 – Mitchell 34, Erram 16, Tiongson 10, Ighalo 10, Galanza 6, Soyud 6, Taulava 2, Tallo 2, Magat 1, Baguio 0, Fonacier 0, Rios 0, Lao 0, Varilla 0.

Quarterscores: 22-17, 46-35, 74-58, 100-87