NorthPort survives Rain or Shine in OT to bolster playoffs bid

The NorthPort Batang Pier kept their playoff hopes alive after surviving a pesky Rain or Shine Elastopainters squad, 91-88, in overtime, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday.

A Sean Anthony layup with 53 seconds left in the extra period gave Batang Pier the lead, 90-86. However, two free throws from Belga off a Slaughter foul cut their deficit, before Kevin Ferrer sank one from the charity stripe with 13 ticks remaining and gave them the three-point lead.

Greg Slaughter, who was replaced in the final minutes of their last game against Magnolia, delivered the block against Gabe Norwood which sealed the win for NorthPort.

Slaughter, during the fourth period, delivered the shot which tied the two teams at 80.

At the half, NorthPort also had the upper hand, 42-37.

Slaughter led NorthPort with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Robert Bolick tallied 24 markers for NorthPort's fifth win. Anthony flirted with a double-double 9 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamie Malonzo had 8 markers and 14 boards.

NorthPort spoiled Jewel Ponferada's 17-point performance and Beau Belga's 11 points. Javee Mocon had eight points and 11 rebounds.

With the win, NorthPort snapped their two-game losing skid, 5-5 to land at the sixth spot of the standings.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine, which has already qualified for the quarterfinals, wrapped their elimination campaign with a 6-5 record, just a spot above NorthPort in the standings.

NorthPort is set to play the Alaska Aces for their final game in the elimination round.

The Scores:

NorthPort 91 – Slaughter 25, Bolick 24, Anthony 9, Malonzo 8 , Elorde 7, Lanete 6, Grey 4, Ferrer 4, Onwubere 3, Rike 1, Balanza 0, Doliguez 0.

Rain or Shine 88 – Ponferada 17, Belga 11, Santillan 9, Yap 9, Mocon 8, Torres 8, Borboran 8, Nambatac 6, Asistio 5, Norwood 3, Caracut 2, Guinto 2, Wong 0.

Quarterscores: 27-16, 42-37, 65-60, 80-80, 91-88.

—JMB, GMA News