Powell nails game-winner to lift Bay Area past NorthPort

Myles Powell broke the heart of NorthPort with his buzzer-beater triple that steered guest team Bay Area past the Batang Pier, 105-104, in the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 25-year-old American guard buried the game-winning shot over the defense of NorthPort import Prince Ibeh right at the buzzer, giving the club team its second win in as many games.

The win kept the Dragons undefeated at 2-0 while NorthPort dropped to 1-1.

NorthPort posed an early threat to Bay Area with the Batang Pier leading almost all the way in the first half, before the guest club unleashed a 22-14 closing run in the second quarter to take a 53-51 halftime lead.

The Robert Bolick-Arvin Tolentino tandem proved fatal as the two cagers poured in a combined 28 points in the first two quarters, towing NorthPort to a 29-21 lead.

But Bay Area kept the Batang Pier at bay in the third to head into the payoff period carrying an 80-77 cushion after Powell sank all of his three freebies off a foul by Jerrick Balanza.

Veteran sniper Jeff Chan also sparked NorthPort's rotations, firing back-to-back baskets to tie things up at 75 late in the third.

Powell, who only had nine points in the first half, erupted in the second, including two crucial free throws that handed Bay Area a 97-93 lead before Roi Sumang buried a triple, 100-99, with 2:33 left.

Sumang's steal and basket gave NorthPort a 104-102 cushion but three consecutive misses from their side gave Bay Area and Powell the chance to seal the win.

Bolick's 33-point outing went for naught alongside Tolentino's 22 points and 10 rebounds. Ibeh was limited to eight markers but collected 11 boards in the losing cause.

Powell wrapped up another stellar outing with 37 points, six rebounds, and four steals while Hayden Blankley chipped in a double-double of 15 markers and 10 rebounds for the Dragons.

—MGP, GMA News