NorthPort import Jamel Artis leads another Batang Pier shocker. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—An undermanned NorthPort survived a 103-101 nail-biter against league leader Magnolia to get its second straight win in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup Thursday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Batang Pier, who also ended Meralco’s four-game unbeaten run, improved to 2-5 while ending the Hotshots’ perfect start.
Paul Lee had a chance to give the Hotshots the win but he missed his open shot from deep as time expired.
NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio said it all boiled down to his team’s heart as they played without the injured Kevin Ferrer and national team member Robert Bolick against Magnolia.
JAMEL ARTIS DANCE CLASS.
101-99 NorthPort with 49.2 to go! #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/z7Mt4wdvDS
— PBA (@pbaconnect) February 24, 2022
“Kevin’s injured, Robert is with Gilas, and Arwind [Santos] is playing at 70 percent but the heart they showed today was immense,” said Jarencio in Filipino. “This win is for the players. They worked hard and they really showed their heart out there.”
It took a late-game 6-0 run for NorthPort to regain the lead with Jamie Malonzo’s split from the charity stripe putting his team up three, 102-99, with 18.3 seconds left after Magnolia went on a furious rally at the start of the fourth.
Mike Harris’ layup off of Jia Jalalon’s pass capped off the Hotshots’ 28-7 run that put them up 90-86 with 4:15 to play in the game.
Jamel Artis led the way for the Batang Pier with 42 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and three steals while Malonzo added 19 points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Arwind Santos also finished in double figures with 14 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks, the last rejection of which stopped Harris in the final 12 seconds.
Harris led Magnolia with 34 points and 12 rebounds.