PBA: Tautuaa carries NorthPort past Phoenix to get back on track

Moala Tautuaa carries NorthPort. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–NorthPort put a halt to its four-game slide at the expense of Phoenix, 80-70, Saturday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Mo Tautuaa fire 16 points and plucked down nine rebounds to lead Batang Pier and put them back in the thick of the race for a playoff spot.

“We just have to keep playing. I want to be more of a leader to this team. That’s what my team needs,” the big man said in a television interview.

Paolo Taha put up 14 points to go with import Mychal Ammons’ 12, while Garvo Lanete chipped in 11 more to help NorthPort improve to 2-4.

“Maganda ‘yung galawan, maganda ‘yung depensa. Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang,” coach Pido Jarencio said in the post-game presser.

Alex Mallari had 15 points for the Fuel Masters while Eugene Phelps 14 and Jason Perkins 10 in the losing effort.

NorthPort will try to sustain its sharp form when it goes up against Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer on Oct. 23.

Phoenix, which slipped to 2-5 in the conference, faces Columbian next on Oct. 25.