NORTHPORT kept its winning momentum entering the post-elims play and, along with it, handed titleholder Barangay Ginebra a playoff shot at the last quarters berth.
The Batang Pier fought like their lives were on the line and crushed the Alaska Milk Aces, 122-94, at the close of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Don Honorio Ventura State U Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga Thursday.
With a rare triple-double game of 22 points, 13 rebounds and the same number of assists, Robert Bolick led the Batang Pier to the fifth seed-clinching victory.
In getting that result even minus Greg Slaughter and Sean Anthony, the Batang Pier got the Gin Kings to a sudden-death playoff for the last quarters seat versus the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
Phoenix, Ginebra and Terrafirma finished with identical 4-7 win-loss cards. The Fuel Masters and the Kings are the ones to fight in a knockout duel by virtue of superior quotients.
"We're building a winning culture. And with the victory, we'll have a good momentum that we'll try to carry on in the playoffs," said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio.
It would have been Phoenix versus Terrafirma if not for the NorthPort triumph.
An Alaska win would have forged a quadruple tie among Phoenix, Terrafirma, Alaska and Ginebra at 4-7. And in this scenario, the Fuel Masters and the Dyip would have the better quotients.
But the Batang Pier were determined to finish the elims on a high note, and they did to rank No. 5 behind TNT Tropang Giga (10-1), Meralco (9-2), Magnolia (8-3) and San Miguel Beer (7-4).
NorthPort was tied with Rain or Shine at 6-5, but the fifth seed went to the Batang Pier via the winner-over-the-other rule.
At No. 5, the Batang Pier play the fourth ranked Beermen in a best-of-three quarters series.
"Ang mentality namin eh to build that winning culture, at hindi kami namimili ng kalaban," said Bolick.
"Alam natin mabigat ang San Miguel, but we'll not back down against them. Hopefully healthy kami, and we'll come out and pour on everything on the floor," Bolick also said.
"We'll be there and we'll be competitive," said Jarencio, adding Slaughter and Anthony would be ready for the quarterfinals.
There's no denying the Batang Pier in their bid to finish the elims on a winning note. With a heads-up game, Bolick and his teammates raced to an 18-point spread, 61-43, at the half.
And with no let-up, they ripped apart the visibly drained Alaska side. The Aces, playing successive games after entering the league's health and safety protocols, ended up at No. 11 with a 3-8 record.
Thescores:
NorthPort 122 - Bolick 22, Malonzo 21, Taha 18, Onwubere 13, Rike 12, Doliguez 7, Ferrer 7, Balanza 67, Subido 5, Elorde 5, Grery 4, Faundo 2, Anhtony 0, Lanete 0, Slaughter 0.
Alaska 94 - Teng 18, Tratter 13, Digregorio 13, Adams 10, Casio 9, Banal 7, Browne 5, Brondial 5, Stockton 4, Marcelino 4, Ilagan 3, Ebona 3, Herndon 0, Ahanmisi 0, Publico 0.
Quarters:28-20, 61-43, 94-78, 122-94