Columbian Dyip opened the second half with both barrels blazing to unleash a third quarter storm and wallop the NorthPort Batang Pier, 114-108, and get back on winning track in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The one-two punch of CJ Perez and Khapri Alston stood the tallest as their joint exploits carried the fight for the Dyip.
Both had solid double-double nights with Perez unloading a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds while Alston muscled his way to a 25-point and 17-rebound performance.
Columbian improved to 2-1 to move in the upper echelon while NorthPort dropped to 1-2 after losing its second straight game.
Trailing by eight at the half, the Dyip stepped on the gas pedal come the third period, exploding for 38 points to turn the tide in its favor.
It outscored the Batang Pier by 13 points in the third to take the driver’s seat heading into the final 12 minutes of play ahead by five, 90-85, after trailing for almost the entire first half.
From there, Columbian hiked their advantage to nine points several times in the fourth and kept NorthPort at bay to eventually secure the win.
Rashawn McCarthy added 18 markers for Columbian.
The Batang Pier stayed within striking distance but was unable to pull together a solid run to threaten, despite closing the gap late in the game.
Robert Bolick led the way for NorthPort’s losing cause with a team-high 23 points, 10 assists and seven boards for a near triple-double.
Hot starts from Bolick and Garvo Lanete, who combined for 17 of NorthPort’s first 23 points, enabled the Batang Pier to open up an early 12-point cushion, 23-11, with less than four minutes remaining in the opening period.
The Batang Pier continued on to carry a 60-52 advantage at the turn.
However, it was all Columbian in the second half as it gained steam and never surrendered the lead after taking it in the third.
As of this report, TNT KaTropa (2-0) is eyeing a share of the lead as it battles the Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters (1-1).
