Underdog Phoenix triumphs for their first victory, dashing NorthPort's unbeaten streak; Converge pounds NLEX powerfully in the match
Updated Match Report: Phoenix's Shocking Victory Over NorthPort in the PBA Commissioner's Cup
Hey there, basketball fans! Let's dive into yesterday's PBA Commissioner's Cup match-up between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the NorthPort Batang Pier.
In a nail-biting game, Phoenix notched their first win of the conference whilst dealing NorthPort their initial defeat, bagging a 115-109 upset at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, December 17.
Donovan Smith, Phoenix's beefy import, finally registered his impressive stats, bringing home 32 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. With 47 seconds left, he nailed the game-sealing free throws following NorthPort's late comeback when the deficit shrank from 10 points to just 5 in the final two minutes.
Jason Perkins stepped up to contribute 24 points on an impressive 12-of-18 shooting for Phoenix, while Kenneth Tuffin and RJ Jazul added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Kadeem Jack led the Batang Pier with an impressive 28 points and 16 rebounds, and Arvin Tolentino chipped in with 23 markers. Despite their fight, NorthPort still remains atop the standings with a 5-1 record.
Towards the end of the game, Tolentino and Jack scored four quick points to pull NorthPort within striking distance as Phoenix enjoyed a 112-102 lead with 1:47 left on the clock. The Batang Pier's Evan Nelle had a chance to close the gap further with 1:06 left, but he only converted on one of his two free throws.
In the first game, Converge FiberXers bounced back swiftly after their 108-101 loss to NorthPort in their previous encounter. Cheick Diallo, their import powerhouse, unleashed a 37-point, 18-rebound performance to lead the FiberXers to a 102-91 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors. Alec Stockton supported Diallo with 16 points and Jordan Heading contributed 14 points, along with 11 rebounds. Top rookie Justine Baltazar rounded up 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in his second PBA game.
Mike Watkins, the NLEX reinforcement, showcased another impressive double-double of 36 points and 23 rebounds. Robert Bolick shared NLEX's scoring load with 26 points.
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Reminding basketball fans to join the sports chat room discussion on the website's Communities app, here's where you can share your thoughts about the exciting NBA match-up between Phoenix and NorthPort. In a similar situation, Donovan Smith from Phoenix sealed the victory against NorthPort in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, just as NBA stars often do in their games.
