First among Qualls

Import Michael Qualls and Christian Standhardinger made their PBA debuts with NorthPort against San Miguel Beer in the Governors Cup last Oct. 23, both as mid-conference recruits. Qualls came in to replace Mychal Ammons as the Batang Pier got off to a shaky 2-4 start while Standhardinger landed from San Miguel in a trade for Mo Tautuaa.

Since their arrival, they’ve averaged a combined 57.7 points and 26 rebounds as NorthPort has reversed its fortunes by winning four of six games. So from 2-4 with Ammons and Tautuaa, the Batang Pier has bounced back to 4-2 with Qualls and Standhardinger. NorthPort finished the eliminations tied for seventh with Alaska at 5-6 but slid to eighth due to the winner-over-the-other rule. The Aces beat NorthPort, 106-99, in the elims.

NorthPort wound up the elims on a high note, claiming back-to-back wins over top seed NLEX and another twice-to-beat qualifier Ginebra. Coach Pido Jarencio’s gritty squad has a chance to make history by becoming one of only a few No. 8 seeds to topple the No. 1 seed in basketball playoff annals. According to PBA head of stats Fidel Mangonon, only three No. 8 seeds have beaten No. 1s with a twice-to-win disadvantage and Powerade was the last to do the trick over B-Meg in the 2012 Philippine Cup.

Last Monday, NorthPort survived a do-or-die situation by beating NLEX, 115-90, in the quarterfinals to force a winner-take-all showdown against the Road Warriors at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight. NorthPort managed to squeeze into the quarterfinals with a twice-to-win disadvantage. NLEX needs to win only once over NorthPort to advance to the semifinals while NorthPort has to win twice.

This conference, NorthPort has beaten NLEX twice and unless the Road Warriors come up with an inspired performance from NBA veteran Manny Harris, the Batang Pier might just make it three in a row despite losing Robert Bolick and Jonathan Grey to injuries. In both NorthPort wins over NLEX, rebounding was the key. NorthPort had more rebounds, 61-52 in winning, 102-94, in the elims and again dominated the boards, 62-49 in taking the rematch, 115-90, last Monday. It wasn’t just in rebounding where NorthPort had the edge. NorthPort converted more free throws, 27-41 to 14-16 in the first game and 18-22 to 10-16 in the second. Clearly, NLEX must prioritize foul management. The Road Warriors lost the first meeting by 8 and were outpointed from the line by 13. In the second encounter, NorthPort scored more free throws, 18-10 and won by 25.

Harris has been an anchor for NLEX. Like Qualls, he was a mid-conference recruit, checking in for Olu Ashaolu even as the Road Warriors opened at 4-1. Harris is averaging 29.1 points but last Monday, was held to only 12. Qualls, in contrast, has been consistent in delivering big numbers, averaging 34.5 points and 13.8 rebounds. Against NLEX, he’s hitting at a 37.5 clip. Qualls, 25, played three years with the University of Arkansas varsity and in 2014, made the game-winning dunk with 0.2 of a second left in overtime as the Razorbacks edged highly-ranked Kentucky, 87-85. He registered career-highs of 37 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists in the NBA G-League and played in Israel and Italy before joining NorthPort. Qualls’ high-flying maneuvers earned him the nickname Mr. Walk-On-Air.

NLEX has lost its last three outings while NorthPort has won its last three and coach Yeng Guiao knows it will take a major turn-around to prevail tonight. It won’t be just about containing Qualls but also putting the shackles on Standhardinger who’s averaging 23.2 points and 12.2 rebounds. Kiefer Ravena didn’t start in the two NorthPort games so far and he’ll probably get the nod for a first five appearance tonight because it’s critical that he sets the mood from the onset.

The winner of tonight’s game will move up to face Ginebra in the best-of-five semifinals. The other semifinal pairing will feature second seed Meralco against third seed TNT.