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MANILA, Philippines — NorthPort doused Phoenix, 115-79, for its first win of the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Batang Pier improved to a 1-1 record while the Fuel Masters dropped to a 0-2 start.
Holding a 22-18 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Batang Pier went on a quick 17-2 run capped off by Paolo Taha’s driving layup for a 39-20 buffer.
Rookie Jamie Malonzo then, put NorthPort up 57-35 with a layup late in the third.
NorthPort had six players score in double figures with Kevin Ferrer putting up 20 points, on 6-of-13 shooting, and nine rebounds while Troy Rike had his stroke going for 20 points, going 6-of-7 from deep, eight boards, and nine blocks.
Sidney Onwubere missed out on a double-double with 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while Malonzo tallied his own 15 points with eight boards and four blocks.
Vic Manuel finished with a game-high 26 points for the Fuel Masters.
Phoenix’s 36-point loss is the second-largest in franchise history next to the 44-point beating it received against Star in the 2017 Philippine semifinals.
The Fuel Masters slid to 0-2 in the Philippine Cup for the first time since joining the league in 2016.