‘Proud’ Taha sets career high vs idols Tenorio, Caguioa

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MANILA, Philippines—With NorthPort’s season on the line, the shorthanded Batang Pier drew an inspired effort from role player Paolo Taha, who delivered with his best game yet.

Down big in the second half, NorthPort put up one last fight with Taha at the forefront, firing 21 of his career-high 29 points in the third quarter that kept the Batang Pier in the game.

Taha, however, still couldn’t save the Batang Pier from sinking as the Gin Kings eventually booted them out with a 120-107 win in Game 4 of their Governors’ Cup semifinals series Friday night.

“I was trying to be aggressive because there were only nine of us and every other day we were coming from back-to-back-to-back knockout games in the quarterfinals with just nine players, so it’s tough,” said Taha.

“We battled, we fell short, but we lost to a great team in Ginebra. I’m just proud of my team right now.”

NorthPort, which toppled top seed NLEX in the quarterfinals, was hampered with injuries in its series against the Gin Kings with rookie star Robert Bolick, Sol Mercado, and Kevin Ferrer all sidelined.

The slew of injuries to key players left the Batang Pier scrambling for offensive production outside Sean Anthony, Christian Standhardinger, and Michael Qualls.

“Yes we didn’t have all of our players but I’m proud of what this team has achieved and semifinals is not bad especially with nine players,” said Taha. “It’s tiring but at the same time I’m proud of my coaches and my team.”

Taha’s big game also gained him the respect of his former teammates Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio, who both talked to the energetic guard after the game.

“Kuya Mark and Kuya LA are very close to me and they give me advice every time on and off the court,” said Taha, who played for Ginebra from 2016 to 2018. “They’re my role models here in the PBA and they’re the ones I look up to.”

“When I was teammates with them I saw how they are as a person, as a professional, so I admire them and respect them a lot.”