PBA: Fran Yu steps up as NorthPort outlasts skidding TNT in OT

NorthPort needed five extra minutes to return to the win column of the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup as it survived the struggling TNT in overtime, 128-123, on Friday at the Philsports Arena.

Rookie Fran Yu showed up for the Batang Pier, dishing the assist that led to a Venky Jois' dunk as they tied the game at 113-all with 51 seconds left in the regulation.

Yu had the chance to win it for NorthPort but he missed out on his 3-point attempt that ultimately sent the game into overtime. 

The former Letran standout, however, quickly atoned for that costly miss, burying a triple to cap a 7-0 NorthPort run to open the extra period before Arvin Tolentino sank a three-pointer of his own to make it a 125-119 affair with 1:06 left. 

Yu then split his free throws, 126-123, as Tolentino put the finishing touches with his own two freebies. 

Jois led the way with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds alongside seven assists, four steals, and one block while Yu tallied 14 markers off the bench laced with six dimes and one board as they improved to 3-2 and arrest a two-game losing slump.

Tolentino put together 27 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. 

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson paced the Tropang Giga with 35 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks but those were not enough as TNT slid to 2-3. 

Scores:

NorthPort 128 – Tolentino 27, Jois 21, Munzon 16, Flores 16, Yu 14, Calma 10, Paraiso 10, Caperal 5, Amores 5, Chan 4.

TNT 123 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Oftana 22, Khobuntin 22, Castro 20, K.Williams 10, Ponferrada 4, Aurin 3, Montalbo 3, Heruela 2, Galinato 2, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 37-33, 61-62, 90-89, 113-113, 128-123.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News