NorthPort clips Columbian, nears twice-to-beat

PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—NorthPort got the right call in the dying seconds on Wednesday night and survived Columbian, 110-108, as the Batang Pier earned at least a tie for the second twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Robert Bolick missed a layup with 2.8 seconds left, but the Batang Pier were awarded the basket after Dyip import Lester Prosper touched the rim in the play as the referees reviewed the play and declared a goal-tending violation on Columbian for the winning basket.

“It was the breaks of the game, a win is a win,” NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio said as the worst that the Batang Pier could land to is No. 2 ranking after rising to 8-2. NorthPort’s last game is against Meralco next week and the Batang Pier have a shot at nailing the first No. 1 seeding in franchise history with a win.

The loss was the seventh in nine games for the Dyip, who formally bombed out of contention.