PBA: NorthPort slips past TNT in OT to end two-game slide

NorthPort import Venky Jois. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–NorthPort played with steely nerves on Friday night to gut out a 128-123 overtime win over TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Batang Pier got the goods from import Venky Jois, ace Arvin Tolentino and rookie Fran Yu in the extra session as the club arrested a two-game and rose to 3-2 in the conference.

“It feels good  coming off back-to-back losses, we went back to basics, back to the drawing board. We also had a good rest, so we had time to prepare for this game,” said Tolentino, who finished with 27 points and nine assists.

“Beating TNT is a big thing for us. We know how good that team is, how good Rondae is. The whole team. So we’re really glad,” he added.

Vois added 21 points to the scoring effort that also featured significant contributions from Joshua Munzon and rookie Cade Flores who finished with points each, freshman Fran Yu who had 14, and JM Calma who rounded out the double-digit finishers with 10.

TNT drew 35 points and 13 rebounds from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and at least 20 each from Glenn Khobuntin, Calvin Oftana, and cornerstone Jayson Castro.

The Tropang Giga missed a golden chance to come back from 15 points down, but with their stars misfiring from the charity stripe late, the club continued to slide into 2-3 in the race.