Batang Pier trounce hapless Bossing to book quarterfinal berth

MANILA, Philippines -- The NorthPort Batang Pier punched their ticket to the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals after dealing the lowly Blackwater Bossing their ninth straight defeat, 106-89, Friday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Batang Pier used the middle quarters to pull away from the already-ran Bossing.

NorthPort had a one-point lead at the end of the first frame, 18-17.

And with the Bossing leading by three, 28-25, at the 5:37 mark of the second quarter, the Batang Pier finished the frame with a 20-7 run capped by a layup by Joshua Munzon with four seconds remaining in the first half.

NorthPort sustained the momentum the rest of the way, growing its to as much as 24 points, 80-56, with a 3-pointer by Kris Rosales at the three-minute mark of the third quarter.

Since then, the Batang Pier never looked back.

Former first overall pick Munzon led Northport with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Import Venky Jois added 19 markers and 20 boards for the Batang Pier.

Rey Suerte provided the spark for Blackwater, finishing with 20 points in 21 minutes.

NorthPort is now holding a 6-4 win-loss slate. Its last elimination game will be against Barangay Ginebra on January 7.

Blackwater, meanwhile, dropped to 1-9.